Bloomberg reports some major European countries have internally accepted that Strait of Hormuz transit charges may be unavoidable, while pushing for non-discriminatory fees and mine-clearing efforts.
Some major European countries have internally accepted that fees paid to Iran and Oman for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz may be unavoidable, adding a more concrete diplomatic dimension to earlier discussion of possible transit charges. The countries want any fees to be applied without discrimination by vessel nationality and are pressing an international maritime coalition to clear mines in the waterway. The issue matters because the Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy shipping chokepoint, so added transit costs or security disruptions could raise oil and gas transport expenses and feed broader inflation pressures. Bloomberg said the U.S. and several Gulf Arab states continue to publicly maintain that Iran and Oman have no right to impose such charges.