MUSCAT, Oman, June 4, 2026 — Oman has rejected U.S. pressure to sever its engagement with Iran regarding the future management of the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that any discussions with Tehran are being conducted in accordance with international law and established maritime regulations.
The strategically located Gulf state, a longstanding U.S. ally and co-guardian of the Strait of Hormuz, said any new arrangements concerning the vital shipping route would be implemented only after consultation with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and in compliance with international legal frameworks.
Oman has traditionally maintained a neutral foreign policy and frequently serves as a mediator in regional disputes. While Muscat has criticized Israel’s stance on international law and condemned Iran’s recent attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait, it has resisted calls from Washington to completely distance itself from Tehran.
Tensions escalated after U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly threatened military action against Oman last week. During testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Oman of being the only country willing to support Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Seeking to ease concerns in Washington, Oman’s Ambassador to the United States, Talal bin Sulaiman Al-Rahbi, held discussions with U.S. officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. According to diplomatic sources, the ambassador emphasized that Oman does not support any toll system in the strait and remains committed to the principle of freedom of navigation.
Iran has indicated that it is prepared to restore shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within a month as part of any broader agreement. However, Tehran has also established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), requiring vessels to obtain authorization before transiting the waterway. The new authority has already been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department.
To address international concerns, Iran has proposed imposing a non-discriminatory fee on all vessels using the strait, arguing that the funds would be used to mitigate environmental damage and support maritime safety rather than simply generate revenue.
Arman Khorsand, head of Iran’s International Center for Environmental Affairs and Environmental Conventions Department, said the objective is to secure resources needed to address environmental harm and the consequences of actions that have undermined the principle of innocent passage.
Nevertheless, some Iranian analysts have warned against efforts to monetize transit through the strait. Economist Saeed Laylaz cautioned that such measures could encourage the formation of an international coalition against Iran, arguing that regional prosperity would be better served by maintaining the waterway as a zone of peace.
The legality of any transit fees remains contested. Speaking before the United Nations Security Council on April 27, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated that international law provides no legal basis for countries to impose tolls, fees, or discriminatory conditions on vessels passing through international straits.
While Oman continues to oppose transit tolls, some officials have expressed openness to charging for specific maritime services such as navigation assistance, search-and-rescue operations, and emergency support. Omani lawmakers maintain that such charges would be consistent with international maritime law and distinct from transit fees.
The United States, however, remains skeptical that any future Omani fee system could be clearly separated from a de facto toll arrangement.
Meanwhile, the PGSA claims that more than 300 shipping companies have already applied for transit authorization. Most outbound vessels are reportedly destined for Asian markets, particularly China and India, while incoming traffic is largely bound for the United Arab Emirates.
The dispute highlights growing geopolitical tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, through which a significant share of global energy supplies passes each day.
