EU on Thursday rejected Iran’s push to impose tolls on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz as this would risk undermining international maritime law.
A full reopening of the vital waterway remains a key point of contention as talks are due to start after Iran and the United States announced a two-week ceasefire following over a month of hostilities.
Now, the United States and Israel are presenting the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which functioned normally before the war, as a victory. Iran is even trying to capitalize on the new situation, or at least use it to recoup its losses.
“Blocking the strait, or the hypothetical collection of a toll to allow ships to pass, has no legal basis,” warn legal experts.
On Thursday, European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni told a press conference that the international law is very clear as well as the law of the sea.
Asked by reporters if ships should remain in the Persian Gulf while waiting for a solution or attempt to pass through Hormuz and pay Iran $1 per oil barrel, EC spokesman was clear in his answer: “International law provides for the freedom of navigation, which means … basically no payment or toll whatsoever.”
“Freedom of navigation is a public good … which means that the navigation must be free and needs to be ensured,” he said. “Freedom of navigation must be ensured at all times, and this is crystal clear.”
Asked whether companies should agree to pay or remain stranded in the Persian Gulf, the Commission said the decision should be made by private operators themselves, taking into account their “various interests.” The Commission repeated, once again, that in accordance with the international law there would not be such tolls or fees to be paid.
“We are calling for the respect of international law, and if you look at international law there would not be such tolls or fees to be paid,” European Commission chief spokesperson Paula Pinho told reporters. “It is up to the concerned companies and shipowners to see whether, despite this, they would still want to pay this fee and this is indeed a decision that would be taken by the companies themselves where they may be also weighing the various interests.”
US president Donald Trump on Monday suggested the United States could charge tolls for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking with reporters, Trump was asked about Iran possibly charging tolls for ships to pass through the waterway.
“What about us charging tolls?” he asked in response. “I’d rather do that then let them have them, right?” he added.
UK defence secretary John Healey, speaking at a press conference in Downing Street on Thursday, said: “We want to see the Strait of Hormuz remains open and free, consistent with the long-established laws of international navigation and without any short of tolls for passage.”
The defence secretary said that Gulf countries agree with the U.K. on the dangers of introducing tolls as it “would create a potential principle that could be used and abused by others elsewhere.”
The US has repeatedly accused allies of not doing enough to secure the shipping route or to support its war effort, leaving the UK and other nations weighing how to contribute to securing the critical waterway without becoming involved in the wider war.
In a Truth Social post published on Thursday, Trump began by announcing that all U.S. service members currently in the Middle East will remain there until a “real agreement” with Iran is reached.
“All U.S. ships, aircraft, and military personnel, with additional ammunition, weaponry, and anything else that is appropriate and necessary for the lethal prosecution and destruction of an already substantially degraded enemy, will remain in place in, and around, Iran, until such time as the real agreement reached is fully complied with,” he wrote on Truth Social.
The president then warned that if no deal is reached, “then the ‘shootin’ starts,’” threatening strikes would be “bigger, and better, and stronger than anyone has ever seen before.”
He continued, “It was agreed, a long time ago, and despite all of the fake rhetoric to the contrary – no nuclear weapons and, the Strait of Hormuz will be open and safe,” before adding, “In the meantime our great military is loading up and resting, looking forward, actually, to its next conquest.”
Keir Starmer spoke to Trump from Qatar
UK’s prime minister Keir Starmer spoke to President Trump from Qatar on Thursday evening. Downing Street said the prime minister set out his discussions with Gulf leaders and military planners in the region on the need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the UK’s efforts to convene partners to agree a viable plan.
They agreed that now there is a ceasefire in place and agreement to open the Strait. The leaders discussed the need for a practical plan to get shipping moving again as quickly as possible.
Trump warns Iran against imposing tolls
In a barrage of social media posts that sparked fresh fears for the shaky truce, Trump also warned Iran against imposing a toll for ships passing through the crucial waterway.
“Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
“That is not the agreement we have!”
“There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait — They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!” Trump said in an earlier Truth Social message.
