Despite Trump: Iran and Oman are in talks about a payment system in the Strait of Hormuz

Trump: Totally opposed

As part of the talks, Iran’s new “Persian Gulf Straits Authority” announced this week that it has defined a supervisory area for the management of the Strait of Hormuz, and that vessels that wish to pass through it will be required to obtain permission from the authority. The Gulf of Oman, adjacent to the Strait, forms the main access route to it from the east.

“Like the mafia’s demand for sponsorship”

According to the report, Iran does not present the normal “passage fee” initiative, but as a system of “service fees”. According to two sources privy to the details, Tehran is considering the possibility of requiring vessels to pay for various services that will be provided to them during the transit. At first, it was claimed, Oman rejected the idea of ​​cooperation with Iran in the Straits, but later began to discuss possible revenue sharing. According to the sources, Oman even signaled that it could exert influence with the Gulf countries and the United States to promote the move, after realizing its economic potential.

The New York Times notes that the distinction between a “fee” and a “service fee” is legally critical. Under international law, charging only for the mere passage of an international strait is illegal, while charging money for actual services – such as waste treatment or port services – may be permitted under certain conditions.