Oman Navigates Strait of Hormuz Fee Talks Amid U.S.-Iran Tensions

Oman is facing pressure from both the United States and Iran as discussions continue over how the Strait of Hormuz may be managed after recent conflict disrupted shipping. The country, which sits south of the strait, has long acted as a mediator in regional disputes and is now trying to balance competing demands while keeping the waterway open to international traffic. Analysts say Oman’s public stance on possible transit or service fees has remained intentionally unclear. Under international transit passage rules, countries generally cannot charge vessels simply for passing through the strait, but some experts say a servicefee model could be presented in a different form. U.S. officials have opposed any such arrangement and warned against efforts that could allow Iran to gain influence over the route. The debate matters because the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, handling a large share of global oil shipments. Analysts warn that markets may focus on immediate disruption risks while overlooking changes in the governance of the strait, which could affect shipping costs, compliance rules, and insurance even without a new military escalation.