"Iran and Oman Nearing Agreement on Hormuz Passage... Service Fees to Be Imposed"

Reports have emerged that Iran and Oman, littoral states of the Strait of Hormuz, have narrowed their differences to a specific level regarding navigation through the strait.

The New York Times reported on the 3rd, local time, citing two Iranian officials with direct knowledge of the matter, that the two countries are close to an agreement in which vessels entering the strait would follow a route closer to Iranian-controlled waters, while those departing would take a path closer to Omani-controlled waters.

The officials also stated that a service fee will be imposed on vessels passing through the strait, citing costs related to environmental impact, security, and personnel deployment, and that the revenue will be split evenly between the two countries.

In connection with this, Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the two countries have exchanged maps outlining the routes through which vessels can navigate the strait.

Before the war, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz was possible in accordance with the internationally agreed Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS).

To prevent collisions between vessels in the narrow strait, ships could only navigate in one direction along lanes divided into northbound and southbound routes, most of which were located within Omani territorial waters.

However, Baghaei explained, "Rather than having two or three separate lanes, we are discussing a single route with Oman that allows for two-way navigation."

While the United States is pressing for the Strait of Hormuz to be freely navigable as it was before the war, Iran maintains its sovereign control over the area.

Early in the war, Iran appeared to focus on toll collection, but later shifted its primary focus to a control mechanism whereby Iran grants permission for vessel transit.

Given that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has proven to be an effective leverage tool to gain the upper hand in war and negotiations, and considering that Iran has endured significant human and material losses to seize control of the strait, analysts suggest the likelihood of it making concessions is very low.

On this day, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that discussions are underway with Iran to fully open the Strait of Hormuz by the 4th and that he will not stand idly by regarding the imposition of tolls; however, given that Oman, the mediating country, is a party to the navigation negotiations, there remains room for the U.S. to accept a transit agreement.

Some observations suggest that the transit fees strongly opposed by President Trump might simply be renamed, such as "service fees," and imposed anyway.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.