The Wall Street Journal reports that the US and regional countries rejected an Iranian demand to collect transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, as negotiations continue. The proposal under discussion would route vessels entering the Gulf through Iranian waters and those exiting through Omani waters, with no tolls on the Omani side. Iran initially welcomed the proposal but now demands the right to collect fees, guarantees against US attacks, and easing of sanctions. The IRGC has not yet approved the arrangement.
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday evening that the United States and regional countries have rejected an Iranian demand to collect transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, as negotiations continue. The report came minutes after a senior US official told Sky News that no tolls would be collected on temporary routes and no transit permits would be required, as The Zioneer reported at 20:27 Jerusalem.
According to the WSJ, the emerging proposal would establish a dual-routing system: vessels entering the Persian Gulf pass through Iranian waters while those exiting use Omani waters, where no tolls would be collected. Iran initially welcomed the framework but later demanded the right to collect fees — possibly in partnership with Oman — along with guarantees that US strikes would not resume, the lifting of the naval blockade, and sanctions relief on oil exports. The US and regional states rejected the toll demand, the Journal reported, citing regional mediators.
The rejection is consistent with the US position throughout the talks. As The Zioneer reported over recent weeks, senior US officials have repeatedly stated that the agreement would not include tolls. On Monday evening, President Trump said he would not allow Iran to collect tolls. The framework deal, under which the US would lift its naval blockade in exchange for free passage, has been under discussion since June, with the Iranian foreign minister agreeing to the dual-routing compromise in early August, as reported by N12.
The IRGC has not yet endorsed the proposal, and senior commanders have signaled they are prepared for continued fighting if their demands for control of the Strait are not met. If an agreement is reached, Pakistan is expected to host the next round of talks. Iran's additional demands — including guarantees against US strikes and sanctions relief — remain unresolved.
3 developments
- StrongUS, regional governments reject Iran's demand for Strait of Hormuz transit fees — WSJ
- ConfirmedReport: US presses Iran to drop Strait of Hormuz toll demand; Tehran unmoved
- DevelopingSenior US official: Strait of Hormuz to reopen 'with no tolls' under framework deal with Iran
- DevelopingUS re-imposes sanctions on Iran, renews naval blockade after Iran rejects Hormuz proposals
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