Iran Wants to Charge Ships for Using a Crucial Waterway—and the Rules Are Unclear

The US and Iran agreed June 17 to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping. But Iran now says it may collect tolls from foreign ships passing through—something international law typically forbids. Iran claims the entire strait is its territory and that changed circumstances allow it to charge. Both sides have 60 days to settle the dispute. One-fifth of the world's oil travels this route.