Iran has defended its position that charging transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz is legitimate, marking a significant escalation in the diplomatic standoff over the critical waterway.
The assertion comes as a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Iran and the United States faces its first real-world test, with Tehran insisting the 14-point agreement supports its right to impose charges on vessels passing through the strait.
The Iranian stance directly contradicts the position of the United States and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, which have issued a joint call for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without tolls.
Washington and its Gulf allies explicitly reject proposals to impose fees on transiting vessels, viewing such measures as a violation of international navigation rights and a threat to global energy security.
This divergence highlights the fragility of the current diplomatic framework and the ongoing tension between regional powers and Western interests.
Market participants are closely monitoring the situation, as any formal implementation of transit fees could fundamentally alter the economics of global energy trade.