U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has firmly rejected any proposal to impose tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, declaring the channel an international waterway that must remain open to global trade.
The comments come as Washington and Tehran appear to be coordinating on a broader diplomatic resolution to the ongoing tensions in the Gulf region.
The diplomatic push coincides with reports that the United Nations is preparing to evacuate approximately 11,000 sailors from the Strait of Hormuz, a move backed by both the U.S. and Iran as part of an agreed-upon exit plan.
This development signals a potential de-escalation in the shipping crisis that has threatened one of the world's most critical energy corridors.
Rubio's stance underscores Washington's commitment to maintaining free flow through the chokepoint, which handles roughly a fifth of global oil consumption.
By framing the Strait as an international waterway, the U.S. is pushing back against any unilateral attempts by regional actors to monetize or restrict transit, a move that could have significant implications for global energy prices and shipping insurance rates.