Iranian and Omani officials are in negotiations over charging fees for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Oman if Muscat enters into a deal with Tehran to charge tolls in the key waterway.
According to an Iranian official and four other diplomats speaking with The New York Times, Iranian and Omani diplomats have held meetings on establishing a new procedure for shipping through the Strait.
Before the US and Israeli war against Iran, the Strait was treated as an international waterway with ships crossing without permission or paying tolls. During the conflict, Iran was able to seize control of the Strait and forced vessels to use its approved shipping lanes after paying a toll to Tehran.
Tehran is demanding that any end to the war recognize that the Strait of Hormuz lies within the territorial waters of Oman and Iran. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Tehran is preparing to model the new shipping process in the Strait of Hormuz, similar to how Turkey taxes vessels transiting the Dardanelles.
While Oman is a US partner, President Trump has threatened to bomb the Gulf state if it enters into an agreement that allows Tehran to charge fees in the Strait. An Iranian official and a second source told The Times that Muscat delivered an Iranian proposal to Washington about a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz.
Over the past week, Tehran has asserted its control over the Strait. On Wednesday, Muscat and Washington announced a new free shipping lane in the Strait that bypassed Iranian waters. The IRGC attacked multiple commercial vessels attempting to use the Omani lane.
Additionally, Tehran rejected a proposal from Muscat and Paris for the French navy to demine the Strait. Iran says its forces are the only party permitted to demine the waterway.
