The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman stated that Iran, in coordination with Oman and other relevant parties, will ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, formalizing fee collection for navigation, environmental protection, and vessel insurance services. The statement reiterates Iran's position that it will collect payments for services provided jointly by Iran and Oman, contradicting US assertions that the strait would reopen without tolls.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday reiterated that toll collection in the Strait of Hormuz will continue and be formalized through a joint mechanism with Oman, framing the fees as part of a comprehensive maritime services package. The statement — published at 16:27 Jerusalem — does not mention the 60-day grace period reported earlier in the day, effectively presenting the fee system as an ongoing arrangement rather than a forthcoming one. This latest position directly contradicts the assertion by a senior US official on Sunday that the emerging framework agreement would require the strait to reopen without tolls.
Earlier Monday, at 13:01 Jerusalem, Iran's foreign ministry confirmed that toll collection would begin after a 60-day grace period outlined in a memorandum with the US — a formalization of an earlier claim, also published at 13:01, that the US had recognized Iran's right to charge fees. That initial claim, sourced to Iranian state-linked Telegram channels, was followed by the ministry's own confirmation, lending it official weight. Over the preceding week, The Zioneer reported on Iran's evolving position: on June 9 the foreign minister declared the strait not international waters but a shared route with Oman; on June 12 he detailed a joint toll plan with Muscat; and on June 7 Iran was already reported to be charging ships up to $2 million per vessel.
As The Zioneer has reported, Iran's position — that the strait lies under joint Iranian-Omani sovereignty, not in international waters — underpins the entire toll scheme. A senior US official told Fox News on Sunday that the framework deal links the lifting of the US naval blockade to free passage without tolls, creating a direct clash of positions. The spokesman also dismissed the notion that Iran merely seeks passage fees, presenting the system as a package covering navigation, environmental protection, and insurance.
It remains unclear whether Oman has formally agreed to the joint mechanism described by Iran. No implementation timeline was provided in Monday's statement, and the US administration has not yet responded to this latest declaration.
5 developments
- StrongIranian Foreign Ministry spokesman: toll collection in Strait of Hormuz continues, contradicting Trump
- DevelopingIran Begins Charging Ships for Strait of Hormuz Transit — Up to $2 Million Per Vessel
- DevelopingSenior US official: Strait of Hormuz to reopen 'with no tolls' under framework deal with Iran
- DevelopingBarak Betesh (i24NEWS) scrutinizes Trump’s claim on toll-free Hormuz, noting Iran switched to insurance fee instead
Source and signal
- Internal intake