U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Oman assured the United States there are no plans to impose a toll on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The confirmation aims to stabilize one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. Any disruption or new cost associated with the strait could impact global energy prices and the flow of international trade.
Bessent provided the update during a press briefing in Washington, D.C., following a phone call with the Omani ambassador on Thursday, May 28, 2024 [1]. The discussion focused on ensuring the continued free movement of vessels through the waterway.
"I had a call with the Omani ambassador this morning, and he assured me that there were no plans for tolling the strait," Bessent said [2].
Beyond the diplomatic assurances, the Treasury Secretary issued a directive to protect the integrity of the shipping route. He said that the U.S. has warned any corporate or state entities against paying tolls [3]. This warning serves as a deterrent against any unofficial or third-party attempts to monetize the transit of ships through the region.
Oman maintains a strategic position in the Middle East, often serving as a mediator in regional conflicts. The U.S. effort to verify the absence of tolling initiatives underscores the importance of maintaining open sea lanes in a contested region.
Bessent's comments clarify the U.S. position on the legality and economic impact of such fees. By explicitly forbidding U.S.-linked entities from participating in toll payments, the Treasury is signaling that it will not recognize or support any financial barriers to navigation in the strait [3].
“"I had a call with the Omani ambassador this morning, and he assured me that there were no plans for tolling the strait."”
The U.S. government is proactively preventing the creation of a financial precedent for charging transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz. By combining diplomatic assurances from Oman with a strict warning against payments, the Treasury is attempting to prevent a 'toll-gate' scenario that could be exploited by regional actors to exert economic pressure on global oil and gas markets.
