According to reports from the New York Times and other media outlets on June 30, Oman has recently submitted a proposal to the U.S. and Western nations regarding this initiative.
The proposal outlines a fee for services related to navigation safety, pollution prevention, and emergency response for ships using the strait. Oman insists that this is not a mandatory toll but rather a cost for ensuring safe navigation. The model is reportedly based on the navigation safety fund used in the Malacca and Singapore Straits.
Oman's Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi stated in an Arabic radio interview on June 28, "Managing the strait incurs costs." He emphasized that resources are necessary to maintain safety and prevent pollution, as well as to respond to emergencies. However, Oman maintains its position that a simple toll is not permissible under international law.
Iran has taken a firmer stance than Oman. Iranian negotiators have argued that the distinction between tolls and service fees is irrelevant, asserting that costs should be imposed for using the strait. Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, warned, "We will discuss a joint management system with Oman, but if no agreement is reached, Iran may proceed independently."
The U.S. opposes any connection between costs and the use of the Hormuz Strait. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated in Bahrain, "Whether it’s fees, tolls, or donations, we should not link the use of the strait to money in any form." He stressed the need to return to the free navigation that existed before conflicts arose.
There are also legal controversies surrounding this issue. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea guarantees the right of passage for all ships and aircraft in straits used for international navigation, stating that coastal states must not obstruct this right. However, some experts suggest that if the fees are voluntary rather than mandatory, there may be room for discussion.
A memorandum of understanding signed between the U.S. and Iran this month guarantees safe, free passage for commercial vessels through the Hormuz Strait for a 60-day negotiation period. However, the operational framework after this period is left to be determined by Iran and Oman. As a result, the issue of service fees has become a variable affecting the management of the strait and Iran's influence in the region.
The Hormuz Strait is a critical route for global oil and liquefied natural gas transport. The introduction of a new fee structure could impact shipping costs and energy exports from Gulf oil-producing countries. Particularly, if Iran ties service fees to priority passage or designated routes, negotiations for normalizing the Hormuz Strait could once again become a flashpoint between the U.S. and Iran.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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