Escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have cast a shadow over efforts to fully reopen this vital global energy corridor. A report alleges Iran is actively lobbying for support to impose service fees on transiting vessels, a proposal met with firm rejection by U.S. Secretary of State Rubio. Meanwhile, an attack on a cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman has prompted the International Maritime Organization to suspend evacuation operations for stranded vessels, complicating the path to normalized traffic.
Citing a report from The Wall Street Journal, sources indicate that Iran estimates annual revenue of $40 billion could be generated for the involved nations by charging fees for security, environmental, and other services in the Strait of Hormuz.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker and a key figure in negotiations with the U.S., delivered a pointed message during a visit to Oman: "Everyone should know that the way the Strait is managed will never return to its pre-war state." This statement has raised international concerns.
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio, concluding a visit to Gulf nations, issued a strong rebuttal. Speaking in Bahrain, he stated that any form of toll on the Strait of Hormuz "will never be an acceptable condition for any agreement." He warned that implementing such fees would set a dangerous precedent, potentially spreading like a "virus" to other international waterways and causing chaos.
The United Nations' maritime regulatory body, the International Maritime Organization, announced on Thursday that it was pausing the evacuation of vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. This decision followed an attack on a ship in the Gulf of Oman earlier that day and is intended to allow for a reassessment of whether existing security guarantees remain effective.
News of the ship attack contributed to a mid-session rebound in international oil prices. Brent crude, which had earlier fallen below $73 to its lowest level since before the U.S.-Iran conflict, recovered to around $75, briefly rising 1.6% for the day. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained as much as 2%.
Iran Reportedly Lobbies Regional Allies for Support on Fee Plan
According to The Wall Street Journal, Iran is lobbying for support from various countries, including Middle Eastern nations and friendly states in Asia, for its proposed transit fee scheme. The plan envisions a coalition of Persian Gulf littoral states jointly levying fees on passing ships and sharing the revenue, providing Tehran with both a new revenue stream and a degree of control it lacked before the conflict.
As a potential model, Iran has looked to the Turkish Straits. Under an international treaty from 1936, Turkey is permitted to charge a transit toll, known as the "Gold Franc," on vessels. The current rate, effective from July 1, is $6.70 per ton, covering services like sanitation, lighthouses, and lifesaving.
Iran is also studying the multilateral security patrol model used in the Strait of Malacca, where a coordinated patrol mechanism involving Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore is funded collectively by Asian nations and a private Japanese foundation.
However, Iran's proposal faces significant legal hurdles. James Kraska, a professor of maritime law at the U.S. Naval War College, noted that Iran is a signatory to multiple international and regional agreements that prohibit unilateral imposition of such fees. He emphasized that Turkey's arrangement is unique and cannot be automatically applied elsewhere.
The report also cites sources stating that imposing any service fee would require consensus from all 176 member states of the International Maritime Organization.
In a related move, Iran has established an insurance company, asserting that vessels must use its insurance services to transit the strait. It has also warned that transit outside its designated routes is "extremely dangerous and prohibited."
Rubio's Firm Rejection and Gulf Allies' Unified Stance
Secretary Rubio's Gulf tour, his first to the region since taking office and following the U.S.-Iran interim ceasefire, aimed in part to reassure allies concerned about the agreement's terms.
Addressing the Gulf Cooperation Council in Bahrain, Rubio was unequivocal. He argued that calling a charge a "toll" or a "service fee" was mere semantics, stating, "No country in the world has the right to charge for the use of an international waterway. This will never be an acceptable condition for any agreement."
Rubio added that Oman had explicitly expressed its opposition to fees during the meetings. A joint U.S.-GCC statement explicitly "rejects any tolls, fees, or attempts to control the Strait."
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar had previously voiced opposition to Iran's proposal. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, stated on Thursday that new geopolitical realities in the Strait of Hormuz and elsewhere "cannot be imposed on the Arab Gulf states."
While some major shipowners reportedly view fees as a necessary cost for reopening the route, this stance diverges sharply from the official positions of the U.S. and Gulf nations. Former U.S. President Trump had previously stated on social media that any final deal including service or shipping fees would be a "game-changer" he would not accept.
Cargo Ship Attacked, Vessels Turn Back, IMO Halts Evacuations
Amid the diplomatic wrangling, the operational situation in the Strait of Hormuz grew more chaotic.
According to Bloomberg, early on Thursday, at least three commercial ships, including two supertankers, turned back while attempting to depart from the Omani side of the strait. Maritime intelligence firm Windward reported the turnarounds occurred after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued radio calls and social media messages instructing vessels to reverse course. Ship-tracking data showed not all vessels in the vicinity turned back, with some proceeding to exit.
Hours later, an unidentified cargo ship was struck by an unidentified projectile while sailing southeast of the Omani coast. The vessel's bridge was damaged, but there were no casualties. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which coordinates between commercial shipping and military authorities, issued an advisory urging vessels to "transit with caution."
In response to this attack, the International Maritime Organization announced the suspension of evacuation operations for stranded ships in the strait to reassess security measures. This move came just two days after the UN agency stated it had received assurances of safe passage. Bloomberg reported that an IMO media briefing scheduled for Thursday was canceled minutes before it was set to begin, citing an "urgent matter."
Following the activation of the U.S.-Iran interim peace deal last week, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz had seen a rapid increase. Ship-tracking data indicated Wednesday's transit count reached its highest level since the conflict began, with approximately 70 transits, though this remains below the pre-conflict daily average of around 130 tankers. While insurance premiums for vessels near the strait have recently fallen close to pre-war levels, some shipping companies remain cautious about transit risks until a final agreement is reached.
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