Key facts
- Iran and Oman announced a joint permit system for navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
- The US claims Iran has assured free passage through the strait without tolls or charges.
- President Trump threatened to halt peace talks if Iran imposes any charges.
- A think tank warned Iranian control of Hormuz would be a major strategic victory.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the UAE to discuss maritime security.
Confusion persists regarding maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran and Oman announcing a joint permit system to assert their authority over the waterway. This move comes as peace talks to end the ongoing war are advancing, but conflicting reports have emerged about the resumption of unrestricted navigation.
Oman stated it was establishing a "temporary" toll-free shipping transit corridor in coordination with the International Maritime Organisation. However, Tehran continued to claim Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. This assertion contrasts with repeated US assurances that navigation would remain free, as stated by US President Donald Trump. Trump released a statement indicating that Iran had informed the US there would be "no tolls, no insurance costs and no other charges of any kind sought or received by Iran for travelling the Strait of Hormuz." He reiterated that any deviation from this promise would lead to an immediate end to negotiations.
The Washington-based think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) commented that Iran managing traffic and collecting fees in the strait would represent a significant strategic victory, granting it substantial leverage over global commerce. The ISW also noted that objectives reiterated on Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s Telegram channel include ending US military operations, lifting the US naval blockade on Iranian ports, consolidating Iranian sovereignty over Hormuz, receiving US compensation for reconstruction, lifting all sanctions, resolving nuclear issues, and accessing frozen assets.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is undertaking a diplomatic visit to the Middle East to discuss the peace process with regional allies. On Wednesday, Rubio met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and senior UAE leaders in Abu Dhabi. The discussions focused on the US administration’s efforts to ensure full and safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The US State Department reported that Rubio thanked the UAE for their leadership and support, praised their resilience against Iran's attacks, and reaffirmed the US commitment to the security of the Emirates.