An Iranian source told Fars News Agency that a last-minute change to the US-Iran memorandum of understanding grants Tehran and Oman control over navigation services in the Strait of Hormuz, amounting to US recognition of Iran's right to charge commercial ships after a 60-day exemption. The claim, attributed to an unnamed Iranian source, contradicts recent US statements that the strait would reopen with no tolls. The supposed service includes safety, navigation, environmental protection and insurance, with revenues earmarked for Iran's economic development.
Tehran is doubling down on its demand for transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, now claiming that the United States has formally acknowledged the arrangement. A source cited by Iran's Fars News Agency says the final text of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding — signed after last-minute changes — grants Iran and Oman joint authority over navigation services in the strategic waterway. Under the reported terms, commercial vessels would be exempt from charges for 60 days, after which Iran could begin collecting fees for what Tehran calls "safety, navigation, environmental protection and insurance services." Revenues, per the Iranian account, would be funneled into the country's economic development.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Monday, an Iranian source had already claimed that Washington agreed in principle to toll collection in the strait — a claim that stood in direct tension with statements by a senior US official on Sunday that the waterway would reopen "with no tolls" under the emerging framework deal. The new report citing a last-minute textual change appears intended to lock in that interpretation before any final announcement. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman reiterated on Saturday that fee collection continues despite President Trump's denial, and senior Iranian lawmakers have warned that the wording of the MOU could cede control of the strait to Tehran.
It remains unverified whether the US delegation has actually conceded on the toll issue. No American or Omani official has confirmed or denied the existence of a 60-day grace period followed by toll collection — the claim rests entirely on an anonymous Iranian source relayed through state-aligned Fars. If confirmed, the move would amount to a significant strategic shift: the world's most critical maritime chokepoint, through which about 20% of global oil passes, would be managed under a joint Iran-Oman regime with revenue sharing, effectively ending the post-war principle of free passage.
4 developments
- StrongIranian source: Strait of Hormuz reopening to begin Friday after MoU signing
- StrongTrump: US and Iran close to 60-day ceasefire deal, Strait of Hormuz to reopen
- StrongIran Demands Hormuz Revenue, Says Trump Post Contradicts Interim Deal
- StrongAnalysts Warn Trump's Iran Deal May Prioritize Hormuz Stability Over Israeli Security
Source and signal
- Internal intake