Oman says Strait of Hormuz should stay open as reports detail Iran-linked fee plan

Oman said the Strait of Hormuz must remain safe, peaceful and open to free navigation, with Foreign Minister Badr saying Muscat does not support transit fees on passing ships and that any future arrangement should comply with international law. At the same time, The New York Times reported on June 30 that Oman submitted a formal proposal to the U.S. and Western allies to collect ship service fees with Iran to fund security and operations in the strategic waterway, and an Iranian official plus four diplomats said Muscat is still advancing the plan despite public U.S. opposition. Their accounts also differed on whether any charges would be voluntary or mandatory. Separately, two senior Iranian sources said Tehran wants international recognition of its control over the strait, the right to charge ships entering and leaving the Gulf, and views a temporary 60-day U.S. passage arrangement reached this month as preserving its authority over vessel access and routing.