In April, Iran began charging ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz a “toll” for safe passage. By itself, this represents a dangerous new dynamic in the Middle East that may have begun with the Houthis in Yemen as early as 2024, wherein parties extort international commerce by imposing fees in exchange for safe transit as part of their war effort. Although some countries have agreed to pay Iran’s fees, many countries such as the United Kingdom as well as organizations, including one representing the majority of tanker firms, have condemned it.
Iran’s latest proposal to control and charge ships for safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz as part of its ceasefire negotiations with the United States is far more dangerous, with global implications. If the United States were to recognize or endorse Iran’s (or any other state including Oman’s) control over navigation in the Strait, it would further exacerbate these risks. Such agreements might set a precedent that would support the strategic claims of U.S. adversaries and potentially destabilize international trade. The United States is pushing back with Operation Project Freedom but Iran seems equally determined to alter the status quo in the region.