Hormuz strait will be open but with transit fees, Iran envoy to Moscow quoted

Iran and Oman will keep the Strait of Hormuz open to international shipping but plan to introduce new transit conditions, including service fees for vessels passing through the strategic waterway, according to Iran's ambassador to Russia.

Ambassador Kazem Jalali said the new measures would be determined jointly by Iranian and Omani authorities, Russian newspaper *Izvestia* reported on Monday.

“Of course, this strait will be open, but with new conditions to be determined by the Iranian and Omani authorities,” Jalali said in an interview published by the newspaper.

He added that Iran and Oman provide services related to navigation through the strait and that fees would be charged for those services, although he did not provide further details.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy routes. Before the recent conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, about one-fifth of global oil supplies passed through the narrow waterway. The conflict has significantly disrupted oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, although some tankers have recently managed to leave the Gulf.

Iran has argued that any permanent peace arrangement should allow it to collect fees from vessels transiting the strait. According to Iranian officials, the charges could vary depending on factors such as the type of vessel, its cargo, and prevailing conditions.

The proposal has drawn opposition from the United States. In late May, Washington warned Oman against participating in any effort to impose transit tolls. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Oman's ambassador had assured him that there were no plans to introduce such charges.

Meanwhile, tensions in the region remain high. Israel said on Monday that it carried out strikes against military targets in western and central Iran, despite reports that U.S. President Donald Trump had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid further attacks.

Japan, which relied on the Middle East for about 95% of its oil imports before the conflict, said a Japan-linked crude oil tanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz in May without paying any transit fee.

The future of shipping through the strait remains closely watched by global energy markets, as any additional restrictions or costs could affect international oil and gas supplies. -Reporting by Jekaterīna Golubkova in Tokyo; Editing by Edwina Gibbs/Reuters