Iran Claims Authority to Tax Strait of Hormuz Shipping—Contradicting International Law

Iran's foreign ministry declared July 7 that vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz must pay security fees, likening the charge to English Channel pilotage. This violates UNCLOS, which guarantees free transit passage. Iran rejected Oman's proposal mirroring Malacca and Singapore Straits—where fees fund only navigation services—and Western offers to secure the southern route. The dispute hinges on who controls Hormuz's reopening under a pending US-Iran agreement.