Iran has waived transit fees for commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days [1], while the U.S. ended its naval blockade measures [2].
The agreement aims to stabilize one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. Because the strait links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, any disruption to the waterway threatens global energy supplies and commercial shipping lanes [1].
The move comes as part of a newly signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran designed to restore trade and reduce regional friction [1]. A senior U.S. official said the MOU pledges 60 days of toll-free shipping in the Strait of Hormuz [3].
Despite the waiver, some restrictions remain. Reports indicate that vessels must still obtain approval from the Persian Gulf Strait Authority and adhere to designated routes [2]. This contradicts some reporting suggesting the waiver opens the strait for commercial traffic without conditions [1].
There is also a distinction regarding the nature of the charges. While the MOU specifies a toll-free period, Iran has mentioned the existence of "fees" rather than "tolls" [1]. An unnamed maritime strategist said that using the term fees instead of tolls is "code for safe passage" [1].
President Donald Trump addressed the limitations of the current agreement. "You can't cover everything in a document," Trump said [1].
The 60-day window serves as a temporary measure to test the viability of the MOU framework [1, 3]. Both nations have historically used the strait as a lever for political pressure, making this sudden shift in maritime policy a significant departure from recent years [2].
“The MOU pledges 60 days of toll‑free shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.”
The temporary nature of the 60-day waiver suggests this is a confidence-building measure rather than a permanent diplomatic resolution. By lifting the blockade and waiving tolls, the U.S. and Iran are attempting to decouple commercial shipping from geopolitical hostilities. However, the requirement for Persian Gulf Strait Authority approval means Iran retains significant operational control over the waterway, maintaining its strategic leverage despite the MOU.
