Iran to Charge Service Fees for Strait of Hormuz Transit

Iran said Monday it will levy maritime service fees for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz [1, 2].

The move creates a diplomatic rift over the narrow corridor between Iran and Oman, as the U.S. maintains that the waterway must remain toll-free to ensure global shipping security [1, 3].

Tehran said that the charges are not tolls but fees intended to cover navigation assistance, environmental protection, and insurance services [1, 3]. This distinction is central to the dispute, as international law generally prohibits the charging of tolls for transit through such straits, though some service fees are permitted ^[1].

President Donald Trump (R-FL) previously said that "the vital waterway would remain permanently toll-free" ^[2]. However, reports indicate that last-minute changes to a framework agreement between the U.S. and Iran may allow Tehran to collect these fees [2, 3].

The disagreement follows a period of heightened focus on maritime safety in the region. A Reuters dispatch from May 1, 2026, had previously highlighted the necessity of safe passage for international tankers ^[1].

U.S. officials said that any financial barrier to transit could jeopardize the free flow of commerce. The administration continues to push for a regime that guarantees safe passage without the imposition of costs by coastal states ^[3].

While the immediate impact on shipping costs is not yet fully quantified for this specific corridor, other global freight markets have seen volatility. For example, freight costs in Vietnam have risen 30 percent ^[4].