The American newspaper The New York Times reported on June 30th, using statements from an Iranian official and four informed diplomats, that Iran is working together with its ally Oman to implement a plan to charge fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The United States has previously expressed opposition to this measure, but its current stance remains unclear.
The report indicates that if this plan is implemented, it will bring significant changes to this strategic waterway. This shows that the actions taken by the United States and Israel on February 28th against Iran have profoundly and unexpectedly changed the situation in the Middle East.
Before the war broke out, the Hormuz Strait was an important international waterway where ships could travel freely, transporting oil and natural gas from the Persian Gulf to various parts of the world. After the United States and Israel provoked the Iraq War, Iran blocked this vital trade route, leading to a surge in energy prices.
The above-mentioned Iranian officials and a regional diplomat revealed that Oman recently submitted a formal proposal to the United States and other Western allies, requesting shipping companies to pay service fees in order to use the Strait of Hormuz.
A person familiar with the United States’ position said that U.S. negotiators have received Oman’s proposal, but they are concerned about it and intend to discuss this matter with Oman officials. Both this person and the aforementioned diplomat said that the proposal mentions voluntary payment, not mandatory tolls.
However, Iranian officials stated that these fees will be mandatory.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Gharimbaladi said on June 29 that the top priority for Tehran is to reach an agreement with Oman. However, according to Iranian state television reports, Gharimbaladi's words indicate that if Oman is unwilling to establish a framework for jointly managing the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will proceed on its own.
Oman is located at the southeastern end of the Arabian Peninsula and has long been known for its neutrality. It also acts as a mediator between the United States and Iran. However, according to The New York Times, as tensions in the region intensify due to war, Oman is facing increasingly complex balancing challenges. In May, there were reports that Oman had discussed with Iran the possibility of charging fees for services along the Strait. At that time, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it did not "act like other countries."
Just last week, Trump also said that charging fees for crossing the Strait is “unacceptable”. It is currently unclear whether the Trump administration is willing to agree to a voluntary service fee system.
