U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has explicitly ruled out the possibility of tolls being charged on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting reports that Iran is seeking to establish a regulatory mechanism with Oman to manage traffic through the critical waterway.
The statement, reported by Yonhap and corroborated by multiple wire services, reinforces Washington’s longstanding position that the strait must remain open for free navigation.
Rubio’s comments come amid indications that Tehran is attempting to negotiate a framework with Muscat that could involve fees or regulatory controls, a move the U.S. views as an unacceptable restriction on global trade.
This diplomatic friction adds a layer of uncertainty to the Strait of Hormuz corridor, even as physical flows have resumed following the recent ceasefire.
While oil prices have slumped to their lowest levels since the Iran-Israel conflict began, the prospect of regulatory interference or tolling mechanisms keeps shipping risk premiums alive.
Traders remain wary that any attempt by Iran to monetize transit could reignite tensions or disrupt the fragile stability currently in place.