The United States has firmly rejected any proposal to impose tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, labeling the concept "unacceptable" and reinforcing its stance that the critical waterway must remain open for global trade.
The declaration comes from top U.S. envoy Marco Rubio following a tour of Gulf nations, signaling a hardening of Washington’s position on maritime security in the region.
Just hours earlier, Brent crude had dropped below $75 as shipping volumes through the Strait surged following a recent ceasefire, suggesting a temporary easing of supply fears.
This diplomatic escalation arrives at a sensitive juncture for energy markets.
Just hours earlier, Brent crude had dropped below $75 as shipping volumes through the Strait surged following a recent ceasefire, suggesting a temporary easing of supply fears.
The U.S. rejection of tolls, however, reintroduces political uncertainty into the corridor, potentially undermining the fragile stability that allowed oil prices to soften.
The Strait of Hormuz remains the world’s most vital oil chokepoint, with roughly a fifth of global oil consumption passing through it daily.