Key facts
- Europe is considering voluntary navigational fees for the Strait of Hormuz, pending UN maritime agency endorsement.
- Oman and Iran have held talks on ensuring safe and unrestricted passage through the strait.
- Oman has proposed a governance model for the strait, drawing from the Strait of Malacca's framework.
- The US is urging Iran to guarantee safe passage for vessels in the critical shipping lane.
- Internal divisions within Iran's IRGC may affect its adherence to international maritime law.
European nations are considering proposals for voluntary navigational fees in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global shipping lane, contingent on endorsement from the UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO). Britain's deputy prime minister, David Lammy, expressed concern that compulsory tolls would be detrimental, although some colleagues noted the permissibility of payments for navigational services, citing the Strait of Malacca as a precedent.
These discussions coincide with U.S. pressure on Iran for public assurances of safe passage through the strait. U.S. officials attribute difficulties in reaching and adhering to agreements to internal power struggles within Tehran.
Oman, working with British legal experts, has developed a proposal adapting principles from the Strait of Malacca's cooperative mechanism and has offered to share its legal expertise with Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was scheduled to visit Oman for talks focused on the strait and shipping safety.
Oman, which controls a significant portion of the strait's navigable waters, opposes mandatory tolls. Qatar has voiced concerns that granting Iran sovereignty that contravenes international maritime law could create vulnerabilities. Divisions are also noted within Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) regarding adherence to international maritime law.
At a recent IMO council meeting, Oman's delegate stated that while international law guarantees transit passage and does not support transit fees, voluntary arrangements for navigational support services could enhance safety and security. This aligns with Oman's work on the Strait of Malacca's governance model, which facilitates over 120,000 annual transits.
Meanwhile, an alliance of Gulf and European states sought an IMO resolution condemning Iran for alleged harassment of shipping, a motion not supported by Russia or China. The U.S. recently conducted strikes against Iranian targets, which Iran countered by hitting U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.
A prior memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran committed Iran to facilitating safe passage for commercial vessels for 60 days. The IRGC navy asserted it met these commitments as interpreted by them. The IMO secretary general reportedly had Iran's agreement for a southern route, but this approval was later rescinded, suspending the UN agency's plan. U.S. forces continue to facilitate commercial traffic through the strait.