According to sources, a number of Gulf countries have notified the United States and European nations of their readiness to consider paying fees in the Strait of Hormuz, but they categorically reject Iranian control over this waterway.
According to sources, a number of Gulf countries have notified the United States and European nations of their readiness to consider paying fees in the Strait of Hormuz, but they categorically reject Iranian control over this waterway.
According to officials familiar with the situation, there is a subtle difference between these two positions that is highly significant against the backdrop of renewed tensions between the US and Iran.
US President Donald Trump has also signaled his expectation of receiving economic compensation for providing security in the strait by the US.
One American official told MEE that for some Gulf states, the payment does not present a significant financial problem because it is negligible to their profits; stability is their priority.
Another regional official emphasized that the main issue for the Gulf countries is preventing Iran from gaining veto power over the entry and exit of ships from the strait, and that the fee or payment itself is irrelevant.
The signals that the Gulf states secretly conveyed to several Western capitals may explain why US President Donald Trump has once again raised the issue of charging for security provision in the Strait of Hormuz.
On Monday, Trump called on the US to levy a 20% fee for its role as the 'guardian' of the Strait of Hormuz, stating that US partners in the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, should pay for this service.
However, these statements by Trump sharply contrasted with the position of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated the same day that 'no country has the right to impose tariffs or fees' in international waters.
Officials from the UAE and other Gulf countries publicly opposed attempts by Iran to introduce transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz.
On Tuesday, Trump withdrew his initial demand, announcing that instead of a fee, he expects Gulf states to invest more funds in the US.
Trump wrote on his social network Truth Social: 'Based on very productive talks with Middle East leadership, I decided to replace the 20% US fee with trade and investment deals that various Gulf countries will conclude in the United States.'
Nevertheless, even this maneuver by Trump does not eliminate the concept of extracting economic benefits for the US from Gulf countries in exchange for ensuring shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz.
For example, Trump did not mention Asian countries importing Gulf energy or Greek shipowners playing an important role in shipping as potential investors in the US.
Addressing the Gulf countries on Tuesday, Trump noted: 'I spoke with all of them, and they would like to invest more money in the United States in record amounts, and that would be very acceptable.'
He added: 'So, no fee. I don't like the concept of a fee, but at the same time it is unfair that we protect this strait for the whole world, for China and everyone else. I don't care if I protect it for China. I don't care if I protect it for anyone. But it is unfair that we receive no compensation' - Trump told the press during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House.
Trump's comments suggest that the Gulf countries are willing to pay a premium for stability in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's attempts to establish a service charge in the strait in recent weeks have been hampered by Oman's willingness to allow ships to pass through its territorial waters without consulting Iran.
Many American and regional officials told MEE that Muscat is under strong pressure to distance itself from Iran's plans to introduce a service charge.
In response, Iran attacked Qatari, Emirati, and Saudi vessels in Omani waters.
According to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, countries can claim a zone of up to 12 nautical miles for their territorial waters. The Strait of Hormuz is only 21 nautical miles at its narrowest point. Oman and Iran are the only coastal states.
Some legal experts told MEE that if Oman and Iran cooperated, they could create a legal basis for levying 'escort fees' or 'service payments' in the strait. However, Oman's move allowing free transit of ships removes this legal basis for Iran.
U.S. Central Command (Centcom) issued a statement refuting Iran's claim that passage through the Strait of Hormuz is permitted exclusively along routes established by Iran. In its post on the social media platform X on Thursday, it was emphasized that Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz.
Centcom added that since the beginning of May, U.S. forces have assisted in the successful passage of over 800 commercial vessels and 380 million barrels of crude oil through the international trade corridor.
This statement came amid reports from Lloyd’s List Intelligence that transit via tracked vessels through the route coordinated by the U.S. in Oman has 'effectively stopped' in response to the recent escalation between the U.S. and Iran.
