Iran, Oman Discuss Strait of Hormuz Transit Fees for 20% Oil Route
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 23
Iran, Oman Discuss Strait of Hormuz Transit Fees for 20% Oil Route
7 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 23
Iran and Oman have discussed a system to charge ships for passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a move Tehran is using to formalize and monetize control over a key global chokepoint.
One-fifth of the world’s oil and gas once moved through the strait, and analysts say mandatory fees would violate long-standing rules barring charges for safe passage in international waterways.
Arsenio Dominguez, head of the International Maritime Organization, said any toll system would be unacceptable and rejected measures that go beyond freedom of navigation and innocent passage.
The proposal is still rattling shippers already facing nearly three months of disruption in the Persian Gulf, raising fears Iran could keep influencing traffic even after the war ends.
With Hormuz traffic down 97%, could Iran's toll plan spark a global food and energy crisis?
Why is a U.S. ally helping Iran challenge global shipping rules in the Strait of Hormuz?
Iran’s Control of the Strait of Hormuz in 2026: Toll Imposition, US Naval Blockade, and Global Economic Fallout
Overview
In May 2026, Iran asserted significant control over the Strait of Hormuz by introducing a new, complex system for vessel passage. This system uses a tiered approval process, giving priority to ships from Russia and China, followed by those from India and Pakistan, while other vessels need special agreements or direct approval. Ships linked to the United States or Israel are completely banned, especially after recent aerial attacks on Iran. These actions have caused immediate international concern and uncertainty in global energy markets, highlighting the Strait’s critical role in global trade and the rising tensions over its control.