Iran's Envoy to France Says Tehran, Oman Discussing Permanent Strait of Hormuz Transit Fees

Iran is considering making transit fees for the Strait of Hormuz permanent.

Mohammad Amin-Nejad, Iran's ambassador to France, said on May 21 that Tehran is discussing a permanent toll system with Oman to institutionalize control over maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Walter Bloomberg and other reports. That would mean vessels passing through the waterway could be charged even after the war involving Iran ends.

Amin-Nejad said reopening the Strait of Hormuz would be accompanied by transit-fee payments from countries using the route. Iran and Oman must mobilize all available resources to provide security services and manage navigation in the most appropriate way. Because that entails costs, countries seeking to benefit from the passage should also share the burden.

He added that the toll system would be operated transparently. Countries that want to improve the current situation should address the root cause of the problem, he said.

Iran's Foreign Ministry said on May 18 that it was in talks with Oman to establish a new framework for managing the Strait of Hormuz.