The United States and regional powers have rejected Iran’s demand for so-called “transit fees” in connection with negotiations being brokered by Oman over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal published this week. The strategic waterway, through which roughly one-third of the world’s traded oil passes, has long been a flashpoint for regional tensions, with Iran repeatedly threatening to block access during periods of heightened friction with Western powers. According to senior negotiators involved in the talks, Iran had sought compensation for allowing vessels to pass through waters it controls, framing this as a legitimate demand within the framework of proposed arrangements centred on Oman’s mediation efforts.
However, regional governments have made clear they are pursuing a fundamentally different objective. Rather than agreeing to pay transit fees, these states are pushing for assurances that Iran and its network of armed proxies throughout the Middle East will cease posing a military threat to their territories. This reflects broader anxieties among Gulf states about Iranian-backed militias and drone strikes that have targeted infrastructure, shipping and civilian areas in recent years.
The breakdown in negotiations over this core issue underscores the deep mistrust characterising diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region. While Oman has sought to facilitate dialogue between Iran and its neighbours, fundamental disagreements over security guarantees and regional influence remain significant obstacles to any comprehensive accord.
Source: Walla News — Original article in Hebrew.
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