U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States will not tolerate any tolls or tax collection on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Control over this narrow waterway is vital for global energy security. Any attempt to monetize transit would disrupt international trade and potentially trigger a military or diplomatic confrontation between Washington and Tehran.

Speaking to reporters in Bahrain on June 25, Rubio said the idea of Iran charging for passage is a "fantasy" and such actions are illegal under international maritime law [1, 2]. He said the U.S. government would not support or allow the implementation of such a system.

"If you are charging money to use the straits, we won't support it. We won't. We won't tolerate it. We won't allow," Rubio said [2].

Rubio said that allowing such tolls would provide Iran with a windfall of $40 billion [2]. He said this financial gain is a primary reason why the U.S. will oppose the move. The Secretary of State also said that there is no sanctions-relief deal tied to the reopening of the strait [2].

In a separate summary of the remarks, Rubio said the prospect of tolls is "not doable" [1]. The warnings come as the U.S. maintains a presence in the region to ensure the free flow of commerce through one of the world's most sensitive chokepoints.

“"If you are charging money to use the straits, we won't support it."”

The U.S. is asserting its commitment to the principle of 'freedom of navigation' in international waters. By framing the potential tolls as an illegal $40 billion windfall, the administration is signaling that it views any Iranian attempt to tax the strait as a direct provocation and a violation of global maritime law, rather than a negotiable economic matter.