Iran claimed that the United States has effectively recognized Tehran's authority to levy transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz. Control over the strait, a critical chokepoint for global crude shipments, is expected to emerge as a key sticking point in U.S.-Iran end-of-war talks.
Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported on the 15th (local time), citing informed sources, that a U.S.-Iran end-of-war memorandum of understanding (MOU) set to be signed on the 19th includes language recognizing Iran's authority to collect transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the report, the final draft amended at the last minute states, "Future maritime navigation services management in the Strait of Hormuz will be determined by Iran and Oman."
Fars in particular interpreted the term "maritime services" as meaning that the United States has formally accepted Iran's right to collect fees.
It also said Iran plans to allow free passage of vessels for the next 60 days and then collect fees from merchant ships transiting the strait under the pretext of providing safety, navigation, environmental, and insurance services. It added that this revenue will be used for national economic development.
It further claimed that consultations with Oman necessary to impose the transit charge have already been completed. Because the Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman, cooperation between the two countries is essential.
This account differs from the position of U.S. President Donald Trump.
In an interview with The New York Times the previous day, Trump said that the agreement with Iran would guarantee the "permanent exemption of tolls" in the Strait of Hormuz, and he wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that he "approves a toll-free opening."
Meanwhile, in its article Fars used the term "fee," which corresponds to compensation for services rendered, instead of a term meaning a government-imposed "toll," signaling Iran's intent to frame the measure as collecting service charges rather than an exercise of sovereignty.