According to informed officials and diplomats, after the outbreak of the US-Iran war, the US ally Oman proposed that Iran and Oman charge fees for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
A report by The New York Times on Tuesday (June 30) stated that an Iranian official and four informed diplomats said that despite the US publicly opposing the imposition of fees on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran and Oman are still advancing the relevant plans.
If this plan is implemented, it will bring significant changes to this strategic waterway, highlighting how the US and Israel’s decision to attack Iran on February 28 has profoundly and unexpectedly altered the situation in the Middle East.
Before the outbreak of the US-Israel-Iran war, the Strait of Hormuz was an international waterway between Iran and Oman, where ships could freely pass, transporting oil and natural gas from the Persian Gulf to various parts of the world. During the war, Iran effectively blockaded this crucial choke point for global trade, causing energy prices to soar.
Since then, Iranian officials have repeatedly stated publicly that they will turn the Strait of Hormuz into a source of revenue.
According to the aforementioned Iranian official and a regional diplomat, Oman recently submitted a formal proposal to the US and other Western allies, requesting that shipping companies pay service fees to use the strait.
A person familiar with the US stance said that US negotiators have received Oman’s proposal and have some concerns, and they intend to discuss the matter with Omani officials. This person and the regional diplomat both stated that the proposal mentions voluntary payment, not mandatory tolls.
Due to the sensitive nature of the diplomatic affairs involved, the officials and diplomats interviewed requested anonymity.
The Strait of Hormuz has always been a core issue in negotiations between the US and Iran.
The regional diplomat interviewed said that Oman’s proposal partially draws on the arrangements of the Strait of Malacca and the Singapore Strait. To ensure navigation safety, this Asian waterway supports key navigational aids through a navigation support fund.
Diplomats said that any fees for the Strait of Hormuz would be voluntary. However, Iranian officials stated that these fees would be mandatory.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi said on Monday that Tehran’s top priority is to reach an agreement with Oman. But according to reports from Iran’s state television, Gharibabadi indicated that if Oman is unwilling to establish a framework for jointly managing the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will proceed alone.
Oman, a sultanate located at the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, has long been known for its neutrality and has played a mediating role between the US and Iran. As the US-Israel-Iran war intensifies regional tensions, Oman is facing an increasingly difficult balancing act.
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