Oman Tells European Officials Hormuz Strait May Not Return to Prewar Conditions

Oman has told European officials that the Strait of Hormuz may not return to prewar conditions and that transiting vessels may need to pay certain fees, according to people familiar with the matter. According to Odaily, the sources said Omani officials stated they would always comply with international maritime law, while adding that fees could be charged for services related to pollution cleanup in the strait or vessel navigation. The sources said it remains unclear whether Oman indicated that all such fees would be mandatory. The people familiar with the matter said Oman is analyzing fee systems used at other global maritime chokepoints, including the Strait of Malacca in Asia, where there are currently no mandatory shipping charges. The report said the United States, Europe, and Oman’s Gulf neighbors are increasingly concerned that Oman could establish a fee system for the Strait of Hormuz together with Iran.