Iran, Oman Move Ahead With Hormuz Fee Proposal Despite US Opposition: Report
Iran, Oman Move Ahead With Hormuz Fee Proposal Despite US Opposition: Report Published By, Last Updated: July 01, 2026, 03:42 IST Oman's Hormuz proposal is
Iran, Oman Move Ahead With Hormuz Fee Proposal Despite US Opposition: Report Published By, Last Updated: July 01, 2026, 03:42 IST Oman's Hormuz proposal is partly modelled on Straits of Malacca and Singapore, where a private foundation collects voluntary contributions to support safe navigation. The Iran-flagged tugboat Basim sails near a ship anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas in southern Iran. (Source: AFP) Iran and US-allied Oman are moving ahead with plans to introduce payments for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz despite public objections from Washington, according to a report published by The New York Times. The proposal, if implemented, would mark a significant departure from the pre-war status of the strategic waterway, where commercial vessels had long transited free of charge between Iran and Oman while transporting oil and gas from the Persian Gulf to global markets. During the conflict earlier this year, Iran effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes and sending global energy prices sharply higher. Since then, Iranian officials have repeatedly said they intend to monetise the waterway. Oman Submits Hormuz Fee Proposal To Western Allies According to the report, Oman has submitted a formal proposal to the United States and other Western allies outlining a framework under which shipping companies would pay service fees to use the Strait of Hormuz. Also Read: Oman Warns Allies Ships Passing Through Strait Of Hormuz May Face Transit Fees Speaking to the NYT, a person familiar with the US position said American negotiators had received the proposal and intended to discuss their concerns with Omani officials.
The person and the regional diplomat said the proposal referred to voluntary service fees rather than mandatory tolls. The Iranian official, however, said the payments would be compulsory. The future of the Strait of Hormuz remains a key issue in negotiations between Washington and Tehran over a lasting peace agreement. According to the regional diplomat, Oman’s proposal is partly modelled on arrangements in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, where a private foundation collects voluntary contributions to support safe navigation. Oman Partners With Iran On Hormuz Crisis On Monday, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran’s priority was to reach an agreement with Oman on managing the waterway. However, if Oman does not agree to establish a joint framework, Iran will proceed independently, according to remarks carried by Iranian state television. Also Read: Iran Fired Projectile At Cargo Ship Passing Through Strait Of Hormuz: US Officials Oman has long served as a mediator between the United States and Iran and has sought to maintain a neutral position amid regional tensions. Trump Threatens To Bomb Oman After reports emerged in May that Oman had discussed partnering with Iran on charging service fees in the strait, US President Donald Trump warned he would bomb Oman if it did not “behave just like everybody else." Last week, Trump also described the idea of collecting tolls or fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz as “unacceptable." It remains unclear whether the Trump administration would accept a system based on voluntary service fees.
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