A US official said on Tuesday that Iran is making unreasonable demands in talks over the Strait of Hormuz, including a proposal to impose tolls on ships passing through the strategic waterway. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters that the United States and Oman have rejected Iran's proposal for a temporary arrangement that would give Tehran greater control over transit in the strait. The official reiterated that the waterway is international and must remain free of Iranian interference.
Separately, Oman has presented Iran with a Gulf-backed plan for voluntary fees for ships using the strait, according to the Japan Times. The US official, however, firmly ruled out any form of tolls or fees, stating that the US position is clear: the strait should be open for passage without any charges.
The talks, mediated by Oman, aim to resolve a dispute over Iran's threat to close the strait, through which about 20% of the world's oil passes. Iran has been accused of attempting to extract fees from ships in exchange for safe passage. The US official described Iran's demands as 'unreasonable' and said they were rejected by both Oman and the United States. No further details on the talks have been disclosed.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, and any disruption could have significant economic consequences. The US has maintained a naval presence in the region to ensure freedom of navigation.