Oman Warns European Allies: Ships Transiting Strait of Hormuz May Face Transit Fees
Miles Bennett
Oman has told European officials the Strait of Hormuz cannot return to its pre-war status quo and that transiting vessels may face charges — putting the world's most critical oil-and-gas chokepoint on a path from free passage to paid passage, with commodity traders facing tens of billions of dollars in potential new annual costs.
What exactly is Oman proposing?
Oman says it will comply with international maritime law but may charge for decontamination, navigation assistance, and similar services in the strait, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
This means → the fees would not be labeled a "toll" but wrapped as service charges — a legal workaround with the same practical effect.
Oman is studying fee models at major global chokepoints, including the Strait of Malacca — the key Asian waterway linking the Indian and Pacific oceans, which currently levies no mandatory transit fee.
Whether the charges would be mandatory remains unclear.
Why is Oman sending contradictory signals?
On Tuesday, Oman and Iran issued a joint statement pledging to discuss strait operations and costs. Two days later, Oman signed a U.S.–GCC joint statement that "rejects any tolls, fees, or attempts to control the strait."
In plain terms = Oman signed two opposing positions within 48 hours; its real stance depends on who is in the room.
Sources say Oman is under Iranian pressure. Iran launched missiles and drones at multiple Middle Eastern states — including Oman — during the conflict, and remains the dominant military power in the Persian Gulf.
Bader al-Saif, a Chatham House associate fellow, noted that Oman has tried to balance between Iran and the U.S., but as the two sides fight, "that behavior will eventually backfire."
How big is the potential cost impact?
Fees on transiting vessels could add tens of billions of dollars a year in costs for commodity traders and shipping firms.
The Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway bordered by Oman and Iran — is one of the world's most important corridors for oil and liquefied natural gas.
This reflects a broader risk: once a fee precedent is set at one chokepoint, others may follow. U.S. Secretary of State Rubio warned explicitly that "it would be chaos."
What is Iran pushing?
Iran has told transiting ships they must apply for insurance from Tehran, hinting the policy will be offered free for roughly 60 days.
This means → Iran's strategy is to establish jurisdiction through a "free trial," then shift to mandatory charges.
Rubio stated that Iran must keep the strait free of charge if it wants a formal peace deal; otherwise negotiations cannot advance.
What comes next?
French President Macron will meet Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Paris on Monday. The Élysée said the two will discuss maritime-route security and "free, unconditional passage" through Hormuz.
Oil flows through the strait have partly recovered since Trump signed an interim peace deal with Iran last week, but volumes remain well below pre-war levels.
Security risks persist — the container ship Ever Lovely was attacked in the strait on Thursday. How Oman's fee proposal evolves will be a central flashpoint in the broader Iran–U.S. peace negotiations.
Content is for reference only, not financial advice.