By Gloria Ogbonna
Iran and Oman have announced the creation of a new “Strait of Hormuz Committee,” a joint initiative aimed at overseeing the future management of one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. According to a statement released Tuesday by the foreign ministries of both nations, the committee will be responsible for supervising shipping operations through the Strait of Hormuz, coordinating maritime services, and determining fees associated with those services while claiming to operate under international standards.
The announcement has sparked concern among shipping companies, maritime experts, and international observers, who fear the move could pave the way for Iran and Oman to impose new costs on vessels traveling through the vital trade route. The Strait of Hormuz serves as a critical gateway for global oil, natural gas, and commercial cargo shipments, making any changes to its administration a matter of international importance.
Iranian state media recently reported that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Iran and the United States temporarily prevents Tehran from collecting direct tolls from vessels passing through the strait for a period of 60 days. However, Iranian officials have argued that the agreement still recognizes Iran’s right to charge for various maritime services.
An Iranian government source claimed that while ships may pass through the strait without charge during the 60-day period, the broader principle of collecting service-related fees remains intact. According to the source, the United States merely secured a temporary exemption rather than rejecting Iran’s authority to impose such charges in the future.
Iran’s state-run media outlets have suggested that potential fees could be linked to services such as maritime safety, navigation assistance, environmental protection measures, and vessel insurance. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei publicly acknowledged that charging for maritime services remains under consideration.
Earlier this year, Iran established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), a new organization tasked with regulating and controlling shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Critics argue that the authority’s creation was designed to provide a framework for imposing additional requirements and charges on international vessels using the waterway.
Among the PGSA’s most controversial regulations is a requirement that ships possess insurance policies approved by the Iranian government. Although Iranian officials currently claim such coverage is being provided without charge, many industry observers believe fees could eventually be introduced. Their concerns grew after Iran’s chief insurance regulator, Mousa Rezai, announced the creation of a specialized insurance company dedicated exclusively to providing coverage for vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz.
Questions have also emerged regarding the legitimacy of the proposed insurance system. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) reportedly stated that neither the insurance company nor the related regulations have been submitted for international review. Shipping executives and maritime analysts have pointed to language in the PGSA’s governing documents indicating that insurance fees could be introduced in the future, potentially forcing vessels to purchase and renew coverage as a condition of transit.
In addition to insurance requirements, Iran has warned that ships could face fines if they fail to comply with its navigation directives while traveling through the strait. Industry representatives have expressed concern that these regulations could create significant uncertainty for commercial operators.
One maritime industry source told the New York Post that Iran’s proposed system is impractical and incompatible with established international shipping practices. The source emphasized that no nation can unilaterally extend its authority over international waters and warned that global shipping traffic may never fully recover to previous levels if such policies are enforced.
Another industry expert noted that complying with Iranian insurance requirements could expose companies to legal risks, including potential violations of existing U.S. sanctions administered by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). There are also concerns that foreign shipping firms could become vulnerable to Iran’s unpredictable legal and regulatory environment.
Many shipping companies are reportedly preparing to resist any future demands for insurance premiums or service fees. To minimize interaction with Iranian authorities, vessels have increasingly favored routes closer to Oman’s coastline, remaining within Omani territorial waters whenever possible. However, observers note that this strategy could become more difficult if Oman and Iran move forward with plans for closer cooperation in managing shipping throughout the region.
Iranian and Omani officials have reportedly been discussing joint administration of the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman since May. These discussions have included proposals for coordinating maritime services and exploring methods of collecting fees from passing vessels. While Oman was initially described as reluctant to participate, Iranian officials now claim Muscat has become more receptive to the idea and could play a leading role in persuading neighboring Gulf nations and Western partners to accept a new fee structure.
The prospect of additional charges has drawn strong opposition from U.S. officials. President Donald Trump recently stated that Iran had assured the United States that it was not seeking tolls, insurance costs, or any other form of payment from ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump warned that if those assurances proved false, ongoing negotiations between the two countries could end immediately.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed that position during meetings with Gulf leaders, stressing that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and that no country has the legal authority to impose tolls or fees on vessels exercising their right of passage. Rubio emphasized that the international community would not support efforts to tax or restrict global shipping through one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.
As negotiations continue and the newly established committee begins its work, governments, shipping companies, and energy markets around the world will be closely monitoring developments. Any attempt to impose new fees or restrictions could have far-reaching consequences for global trade, energy supplies, and regional stability.
Source Breitbart
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