Last Updated:
The Omani officials indicated that charges could be introduced for services such as pollution control or navigational assistance in the strait.
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman. (Source: Reuters)
Oman has told European officials that the Strait of Hormuz cannot simply return to its pre-war operating model and that ships transiting the strategic waterway may have to pay certain fees, according to a report published by Bloomberg.
The Omani officials said the country would continue to comply with international maritime law, but indicated that charges could be introduced for services such as pollution control or navigational assistance in the strait. It remains unclear whether any such fees would be mandatory.
According to the report, Oman is studying how other major maritime chokepoints operate, including the Strait of Malacca in Asia, where shipping currently faces no compulsory transit charges.
Also Read: UN Halts Evacuation Of Stranded Ships In Strait Of Hormuz After Cargo Ship Attack
The possibility of Oman and Iran introducing a fee structure for vessels using the Strait of Hormuz has raised concerns among the United States, European countries and Gulf Arab states.
The issue is expected to feature during French President Emmanuel Macron’s meeting with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Paris on Monday.
According to Macron’s office, the two leaders will “address the security of maritime routes, which depends on free and unconditional passage through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Will Oman-Iran Jointly Charge Fees In Hormuz?
Although Oman is a close US partner, it also maintains strong ties with Iran and has frequently acted as a mediator between Washington and Tehran.
Muscat has sent differing signals in recent days. Earlier this week, Oman and Iran issued a joint statement saying they would discuss the future operation of the Strait of Hormuz and the costs associated with it.
Two days later, Oman joined the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council in signing a statement that “rejected any tolls, fees, or attempts to assert control over the Strait.”
“They said in the meeting, and they signed on to the statement that said that there aren’t going to be any fees or tolls, and so I think that’s good news,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during a visit to Bahrain.
Iran Pressurising Oman Over Hormuz?
According to the Bloomberg report, Omani officials have privately told European counterparts that they are under pressure from Iran.
During the conflict, Iran launched missiles and drones across the region, including at Oman, and despite damage inflicted by US-Israeli airstrikes, it remains a dominant military power in the Persian Gulf.
Also Read: ‘Foolish Violation’: Trump Says US Shot Down 3 Iranian Drones Near Hormuz After Ship Attack
“Oman is caught between a rock and a hard place trying to maintain a balancing act between Iran and the US,” said Bader Al-Saif, assistant professor at Kuwait University and associate fellow at Chatham House, while speaking to Bloomberg.
“Doing so has more or less worked in the past. But with the two sides at war and constantly trying to outmanoeuvre one another, this Omani behaviour will bite them eventually,” he added.
Strait of Hormuz: A Key Hurdle In US-Iran Peace Talks
Bordered by Oman and Iran, the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s busiest routes for oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Iran disrupted traffic through the waterway by attacking and threatening ships beginning in late February, after the United States and Israel launched military strikes on the country. The US and Iran have also accused Tehran of laying mines in parts of the strait.
With Washington and Tehran now engaged in peace negotiations, Iran has said it wants to jointly manage maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz with Oman.
Iran has also said that vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz must obtain insurance through Tehran, indicating that such coverage would remain free for only around 60 days.
Any charges imposed on ships using the waterway could cost shipping companies and commodity traders tens of billions of dollars each year.
Governments, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have warned that such measures would violate international maritime law.
On Thursday, Rubio said Tehran would have to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz remains free of tolls and that ships are not charged transit fees if it wants to secure a formal peace deal.
About the Author
Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact st…Read More
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
