Iran is considering partnering with Oman to implement a system that charges fees for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The talks appear to have limited prospects for resolving the conflict affecting global commerce. After attacks by American and Israeli forces in late February, Iran nearly halted commercial traffic through the strait, disrupting shipping and raising energy prices. With leverage established, Iranian officials began exploring ways to sustain control and generate revenue. Iran’s newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority publicly defined management boundaries and stated that passage would require a permit. The United States has repeatedly warned against Iranian tolls and has insisted passage should remain free as an international waterway.
"Iran has discussed partnering with the Gulf state of Oman an American ally in a system charging fees for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, ignoring the Trump administration's warnings against demands for payment to pass through the critical international waterway."
"After coming under attack by American and Israeli forces in late February, Iran brought commercial traffic in the strait to a near halt, crippling international shipping and driving up energy prices. With its leverage over the global economy established, Iranian officials began discussing ways to maintain a hold on the waterway and use it to generate revenue."
"On Wednesday, amid the discussions with Oman, Iran's newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority said on social media that it had defined the boundaries of the Strait of Hormuz management supervision area and that passage would require a permit from the authority. The Gulf of Oman is adjacent to the strait and needs to be traversed before reaching it from the east."
"We want it free, he said, speaking in the Oval Office. We don't want tolls. It's international. It's an international waterway. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times."
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