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Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz will not be subject to fees until a final agreement is reached with Iran, the Associated Press (AP) reported, citing US officials. Washington views the current understanding between Iran and Oman as temporary and insists that transit through the strategic waterway must remain free of duties and fees, according to the same report.

The development comes as Iran and Oman continue negotiations over the terms of passage through the strait, including potential tolls for Western ships. Tehran has said it will maintain a special passage regime for Russian vessels.

Coverage comparison

Two separate TASS reports provide the basis for this story. One, dated August 7, relays the AP report quoting US officials on the fee status. The other, dated July 28, quotes Iran's ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, on the ongoing negotiations with Oman.

The July 28 report highlights Iran's position that decisions on compensation for passage services are still under discussion. The August 7 report focuses on the US stance that the southern and northern routes in the strait will not be subject to service fees payable to Iran during the initial phase of the agreement between Tehran and Muscat.

Both accounts agree that no final agreement has been reached. The US believes the arrangement is temporary and is seeking a comprehensive, definitive agreement that would guarantee free passage, according to the AP report cited by TASS.

Key claims

  • Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz will not be subject to fees until a final agreement is reached with Iran, as reported by the Associated Press, citing US officials.
  • US diplomats indicated that the southern and northern routes would not be subject to service fees payable to Iran and would be exempt from other encumbrances, according to AP.
  • Washington views the agreement between Iran and Oman as temporary and insists that shipping must remain free of duties and fees, as reported by AP.
  • Iran's ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, told TASS that Iran and Oman are negotiating on the issue of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. 'An appropriate decision on these issues will be made in the future,' he said.
  • Iran will maintain a special passage regime for Russian ships through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Iranian ambassador to Moscow as reported by TASS.
  • The Fars news agency reported, citing sources in the Iranian Foreign Ministry, that the northern and southern corridors will continue to operate during the initial phase in accordance with agreements between Iran and Oman. Under the second phase, all shipping would shift to the central corridor, with entry under Iranian control and exit under joint Iranian-Omani control.
  • On July 24-25, Iran and Oman held talks in Tehran on shipping in the strait; the parties agreed to continue technical consultations.
  • The Strait of Hormuz is used to transport approximately 25% of the world's oil trade and about 20% of LNG, according to TASS.
  • According to TASS, on February 28 the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran, prompting a retaliatory operation by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Iranian authorities closed the strait to vessels linked to the US and Israel. In June, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding calling for a cessation of hostilities, but the US resumed strikes on July 8, accusing Iran of violating the agreements. US President Donald Trump stated on July 10 that the ceasefire was no longer in effect.