U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran's attempt to impose fees on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz is extortion no state will accept.
The statement marks a firm U.S. stance against any effort to monetize one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. Because the strait is a primary artery for global energy shipments, any restriction or fee imposed by a single nation could destabilize international trade and spike oil prices.
Rubio said during a press conference held on May 5, 2026 [1], in the White House press briefing room in Washington, D.C. [1]. He said that the United States will not allow Iran to normalize control over the strait, stating that the U.S. will not permit any such dominance over the waterway [2], [3].
"Attempting to impose fees on passage through the Strait of Hormuz is extortion that no state will accept," Rubio said [1].
The U.S. administration intends to deter Iran from establishing a system of tolls or fees for vessels passing through the strategic waterway. By reaffirming its commitment to keeping the strait open, the U.S. seeks to prevent Iran from leveraging its geographic position to gain financial or political concessions from the international community [1], [2].
"We will not allow Iran to normalize its control over the Strait of Hormuz," Rubio said [2].
The diplomatic tension arrives as the U.S. awaits further communication from Tehran. Reports indicate the United States expects to receive a response from Iran on Friday [4], though some sources note that Iran has not yet responded to the U.S. proposal [4].
“Attempting to impose fees on passage through the Strait of Hormuz is extortion that no state will accept.”
The U.S. is signaling that it views any Iranian attempt to tax or regulate transit through the Strait of Hormuz as a violation of international maritime norms. By labeling the move as 'extortion,' the U.S. is framing the issue not as a bilateral dispute, but as a threat to global commerce, likely aiming to build a multilateral coalition to ensure the waterway remains an open international passage.
