US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has firmly rejected any proposal to impose tolls or fees on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, declaring the channel an international waterway that must remain open to global trade without financial barriers.
The statement, delivered Tuesday, marks a hardening of Washington’s position as broader negotiations between the US and Iran face mounting pressure from disputes over nuclear inspections and missile programs.
The rejection of transit fees is a direct response to emerging proposals that would effectively monetize passage through the chokepoint, a move traders and insurers view as a significant escalation in shipping risk.
By ruling out such arrangements, the US aims to prevent the Strait from becoming a revenue source for Tehran, which could incentivize further disruption.
This stance reinforces the principle of freedom of navigation, a cornerstone of US maritime policy in the Persian Gulf.
Markets are likely to interpret Rubio’s comments as a signal that diplomatic de-escalation remains elusive.