The "New York Times" has reported, citing informed sources, that Oman has formally proposed to the United States and its Western allies to impose fees on shipping companies for vessel passage through the Strait of Hormuz. This is part of efforts to regulate maritime traffic following recent security developments in the region.
According to the newspaper, the Omani proposal draws on models used in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. It suggests that transit fees be officially optional, while Iran is pushing for them to be mandatory for all passing vessels.
Sources noted that the United States has expressed reservations about the proposal and seeks to engage with Oman through technical negotiations. The aim is to reach a consensus that ensures continued freedom of navigation in one of the world's most crucial maritime corridors.
Meanwhile, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharib Abadi affirmed Tehran's readiness to cooperate in establishing a new navigational system for the strait. However, he emphasized that Iran would act independently if no shared framework with Oman is reached to manage navigation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz "will not return to what it was" before the US and Israeli attacks on Iran. He added that Tehran and Muscat are discussing an agreement to establish a mechanism for ship passage according to international standards, considering the rights and costs of the coastal countries bordering the strait.