Oman rules out Strait of Hormuz transit fees, diverging from Iran

Oman, a coastal state along the Strait of Hormuz, said it will not impose transit fees on vessels passing through the waterway.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said at a meeting in Manama, Bahrain, on Wednesday — attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and foreign ministers from Gulf states — that "there will absolutely be no imposition of fees in any future measures related to the strait."

The statement puts Oman at odds with Iran, which has floated a plan to charge commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz for safety, navigation, environmental and insurance services. The fees would take effect once the 60-day follow-on negotiations after its ceasefire agreement with the United States conclude.

Iran and Oman had jointly announced in a statement released June 23 following high-level talks that the two countries were exploring the possibility of imposing service fees for Strait of Hormuz transit.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that he had spoken by phone with Albusaidi and that the two sides planned to hold talks on the management of the strait and maritime service regulations.

Araghchi wrote on X that he had "a productive call with Omani Foreign Minister Albusaidi," adding that "both countries have a firm resolve to continue relevant discussions together with neighboring states."