Iran and Oman are advancing a joint plan to charge commercial vessels a service fee for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report published Wednesday by the Times of India. The proposal, which would reverse centuries of free navigation through the strategic waterway, remains opposed by the United States.
The Times of India reports Wednesday that Iran and Oman are jointly advancing a plan to impose a service fee on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a move that would reverse centuries of free navigation. The report adds new public detail to a story The Zioneer has tracked since diplomatic signals began in late June, though specific fee amounts or implementation timelines remain undisclosed.
As The Zioneer reported on Monday at 10:58, the New York Times cited an Iranian official and four diplomats stating the two countries were working together on the fee structure. Earlier thread items show the evolution: on Monday, Iran's deputy foreign minister announced progress in talks (version 4), had previously threatened unilateral action if Oman did not cooperate (version 3), and confirmed expert-level talks would begin (version 2). Later New York Times reports on Monday described Oman submitting a formal proposal to the US (versions 6 and 7), with Iranian sources claiming fees are mandatory while a diplomatic source described them as voluntary. The U.S. accepted the proposal in principle with technical reservations, according to those reports.
Earlier background reported by The Zioneer shapes the context: Oman affirmed freedom of navigation on June 25 but warned European officials on June 26 that the status quo could not be restored (the Zioneer, June 25, 15:10 Jerusalem; June 26, 18:28 Jerusalem). Iran had already moved to implementation phase on June 7, charging vessels up to $2 million per ship (the Zioneer, June 7, 13:57 Jerusalem). The consistency of Oman's position remains ambiguous — public assurances of free passage contrast with diplomatic signals of potential fees.
What remains open: the Times of India report does not clarify whether the fee is voluntary or mandatory, mirroring the unresolved dispute from thread versions 6 and 7. The U.S. position on a joint Iran-Oman plan, as opposed to Iran acting unilaterally, also remains unclear.
9 developments
- StrongIran says it will hold talks with Oman to set fees for Strait of Hormuz passage
- DevelopingIran Begins Charging Ships for Strait of Hormuz Transit — Up to $2 Million Per Vessel
- DevelopingReport: Oman submits formal Strait of Hormuz proposal to US
- StrongOman affirms freedom of navigation in Strait of Hormuz, rejects any transit fees
Source and signal
- Internal intake