US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Iran will not
be permitted to impose any tolls, fees, or charges in the Strait of Hormuz as
part of any eventual final agreement with the United States. The statement
comes amid sensitive diplomatic negotiations concerning stability in one of the
most strategic maritime routes for global trade.
Rubio emphasized that free transit through the Strait of
Hormuz is a fundamental principle for the international economy, given that a
significant portion of the world's oil and natural gas flows through it. In
this regard, he noted that any attempt to control or tax the passage of vessels
would be incompatible with the terms Washington would be willing to accept in
an understanding with Tehran.
The US official's statements reflect the administration's
firm stance on freedom of navigation and the security of maritime trade,
especially in regions with recurring military and political tensions.
Washington has repeatedly stated that any threat to transit in that area could
have far-reaching economic and diplomatic repercussions.