As discussions between the United States and Iran regarding passage through the Hormuz Strait remain stalled, some European nations believe that paid passage may become unavoidable, according to a Bloomberg report citing sources on July 2.
The report indicates that officials from several European countries view the toll or fee imposed by Iran on Hormuz passage as a foregone conclusion. Officials from some Gulf Arab nations share this perspective, although it has not yet been officially adopted by their governments.
The U.S. and Gulf nations are concerned that charging for passage through the Hormuz Strait could lead to similar tolls in other waterways worldwide. They argue that Iran and Oman should not impose any fees on vessels passing through the Strait. However, Iran's strong insistence on managing the Strait and implementing tolls has led to a deadlock in negotiations.
Earlier, the Wall Street Journal reported that in indirect negotiations between the U.S. and Iran held in Qatar this week, the U.S. proposed the release of frozen funds in exchange for a demand for free passage through the Hormuz Strait. However, Iran maintained its position on managing the Strait.
Bloomberg noted that the specifics of how much money Iran would collect and under what circumstances remain unclear. Additionally, European nations are urging Iranian and Omani officials not to discriminate against vessels based on their nationality, while also advocating for an international coalition to remove mines from the Hormuz Strait.
Amid this situation, Oman, which shares a southern border with the Hormuz Strait and maintains friendly relations with both the West and Iran, is reportedly considering a toll model similar to that of the Malacca Strait, which could serve as a compromise for both sides. The Malacca Strait receives voluntary contributions from countries in exchange for safety measures provided by nearby Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Sources indicate that Oman could implement the Malacca Strait model if all Gulf nations agree, but it remains uncertain whether Iran would consent.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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