Sources: Oman has proposed charging Iran a passage fee for the Strait of Hormuz, a proposal the United States opposes.
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Oman's Foreign Minister: Does not support charging a toll for passage through the Strait of Hormuz
According to BlockBeats, on June 29th local time, the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs released excerpts from an interview with Foreign Minister Badr. Badr stated that Oman is committed to ensuring a safe, peaceful, and free navigation environment in the Strait of Hormuz for all parties. He pointed out that Oman and Iran have reached a consensus in existing dialogues that any future arrangements involving the Strait of Hormuz must be conducted within the framework of international law. Regarding the issue of passage fees, which has attracted international attention, Badr stated that Oman does not support levying passage fees on transit vessels, but he did not rule out the possibility of exploring mechanisms related to maritime services. Badr said that issues such as strengthening navigation safety, improving emergency response capabilities for maritime accidents, and preventing marine pollution could be explored, drawing on practices related to other straits. He said that such arrangements would be formulated in consultation with countries and shipping companies using the Strait of Hormuz, with the aim of improving maritime services and ensuring navigation safety, rather than adding new burdens to global trade. (CCTV News)
The United States attempted to persuade Iran to abandon its "passage fee" mechanism in the Strait of Hormuz during negotiations.
According to BlockBeats, on July 2, AXIOS reported that the United States attempted to persuade Iran to abandon its "passage fee" mechanism in the Strait of Hormuz during the Doha negotiations.
Iran plans to charge a service fee for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international standards.
According to BlockBeats, on July 5th, Iranian Ambassador to China Abdulreza Rahmani Fazli stated in a media interview during the 14th World Peace Forum in Beijing on July 4th that Iran plans to charge a service fee for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with international standards. Fazli stated that before the outbreak of the Iran-Israel war, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz was unimpeded. Currently, Iran has not announced any fees or tariffs, but plans to charge a service fee according to international standards to cover routine expenses such as ensuring navigational safety, navigation, and environmental protection—a practice consistent with other waterways worldwide. Regarding the current situation of the Strait of Hormuz, Fazli said that navigation through the strait is gradually returning to normal, and order is being restored in the passage jointly managed by Iran and Oman.
Several European countries tacitly approve the prospect of charging fees in the Strait of Hormuz.
PANews reported on July 2nd, citing Bloomberg, that some major European powers have internally accepted that fees for vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz to Iran and Oman are "inevitable." Sources say these countries, while acknowledging the increased costs, are demanding that Iran and Oman refrain from discriminating based on vessel nationality and are pushing for the formation of an international maritime coalition to clear mines. The United States and several Gulf Arab states publicly maintain that Iran and Oman have no right to levy any fees on navigation, citing reasons including adherence to international maritime law and preventing setting a precedent for other countries. Oman, on the other hand, is using the Strait of Malacca toll fees and security fund as a reference model, seeking a balance between satisfying Iran's demands and maintaining global shipping stability.
The US and Iran concluded a new round of indirect negotiations, with the US urging Iran to abandon its plan to impose passage fees in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Mars Finance, on July 2nd, Iran and the United States concluded a round of indirect talks on Wednesday, with no signs of progress toward a lasting peace. Instead, the focus remained on the issues they claimed to have resolved when they announced a provisional agreement two weeks prior. Reuters reported that sources familiar with the discussions said negotiators from both countries spent two days in Doha discussing maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and the unfreezing of Iranian funds—two key issues under the preliminary agreement. The Qatari Foreign Ministry stated that the next meeting will be held after the funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, scheduled for July 9th. In Washington, US President Trump stated that progress was being made on the possibility of limiting Iran's nuclear program. "The denuclearization of Iran is progressing well," he told reporters. "They've had very good meetings, and we're watching." However, sources indicated that the nuclear program issue was not raised in the negotiations, which were essentially technical.
Iranian sources say Iran insists on retaining control of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to two high- Odaily Iranian sources, Iran is determined to gain international recognition for its control over the Strait of Hormuz and its right to charge fees for ships entering and leaving the Gulf, even if it requires the use of force. Under the interim agreement reached this month with the United States aimed at ending the three-month conflict, Iran agreed to allow ships to pass through the strait free of charge for 60 days. However, Iran believes the wording of the agreement allows it to continue to control which ships can pass and their routes within this narrow waterway. Sources say Iran is also determined to ensure long-term formal recognition of this control after the interim agreement expires; its negotiators will not turn to other contentious issues in peace talks with Washington until a consensus is reached on this issue. (Jinshi)