Oman is reportedly moving to pursue a plan to collect a "service fee" from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz in cooperation with Iran, despite public opposition from the United States.

Oman, which had previously maintained a cautious stance regarding the idea of imposing transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, appears to be shifting toward formalizing a so-called "joint management" proposal that has been pushed by Iran.

On June 30 (local time), The New York Times (NYT) reported, citing multiple diplomatic sources and Iranian officials, that Oman recently delivered an official proposal to the U.S. and Western nations outlining a plan for ships using the Strait of Hormuz to pay a service fee.

Oman described the payment as a voluntary service fee rather than a mandatory transit toll.

The concept is reportedly modeled after the navigational safety funds currently operating in the Strait of Malacca and the Singapore Strait.

In those straits, private foundations collect voluntary contributions to ensure safe navigation.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi emphasized in an interview with an Arabic radio station on June 28 that maintaining the waters safely, keeping them free of pollution, and responding to periodic emergencies "undoubtedly costs money."

He noted that "lessons can be learned from existing examples," referring to the cases of the Strait of Malacca and the Singapore Strait.

Oman has maintained the position that simply imposing transit fees on ships passing through the strait is not permitted under international law.

At the same time, however, it has argued that the costs of navigational safety and maritime services provided by coastal nations are a separate issue.

Iran, on the other hand, maintains that the service fee should be mandatory.

Mehdi Mohammadi, an advisor to Iran's chief negotiator with the U.S., recently stated on social media, "Whether it is a transit fee, a security service fee, or a maritime toll, the terminology does not matter to Iran," adding that "there is no such thing as a free service anywhere in the world."

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, also stated on state television the previous day that reaching an agreement with Oman is the top priority, but warned that if Oman does not agree to establish a joint management system, Iran will proceed independently.

The United States has strongly opposed the monetization of the Strait of Hormuz, regardless of what the fee is called.

When reports emerged in May that Oman had discussed cooperation with Iran on imposing transit fees, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to "bomb" Oman if it were to impose such charges.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also emphasized in Bahrain last week, "We oppose any form of linking the use of the strait to money, whether it be fees, tolls, or contributions," adding that "we must return to free navigation as it was before the dispute."

The U.S. negotiating team has received the proposal from Oman and plans to discuss its concerns with the Omani government.

However, the NYT reported that the U.S. government expects to be able to resolve differences through working-level consultations, given the strategic cooperative relationship with Oman.

According to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the U.S. and Iran this month, the safe and free passage of commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz is guaranteed for the 60-day duration of the negotiations.

Operational plans thereafter are to be determined through consultations between Iran and Oman.

Deputy Minister Gharibabadi stated that he plans to discuss the operation of the strait with Oman starting next week, and that the collection of service fees from passing vessels and the issue of changing existing shipping routes will be included in the negotiation agenda.

While European nations remain negative toward the service fee proposal, they are reportedly focusing on ensuring the system is operated in a way that does not violate international law, rather than realistically attempting to block it.

Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), who previously held the position that systems restricting freedom of navigation in international waterways—such as transit fees—are inconsistent with international law, showed a more flexible attitude a few days ago, suggesting that the creation of a voluntary fund for the Strait of Hormuz could be possible.

However, concerns have been raised that Oman's service fee proposal could trigger backlash from other Gulf Arab nations that export crude oil and natural gas through the Strait of Hormuz.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)