The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has formally rejected proposals from both the United States and Iran to impose transit fees on vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz.
The UN agency declared that such charges are incompatible with international maritime law, effectively blocking attempts by either side to monetize passage through the critical energy corridor.
The ruling addresses a diplomatic standoff that has seen US President Donald Trump and Iranian officials separately suggest levying costs on shipping traffic.
The IMO’s position reinforces the legal framework governing the strait, which handles roughly a fifth of global oil consumption.
By dismissing the fee proposals, the organization aims to prevent the commercialization of a vital international waterway.
This development follows heightened tensions in the region, including a recent attack on a Mozambican-flagged LNG tanker in Iranian waters.