Dubai: Renewed tensions between the US and Iran have once again placed the Strait of Hormuz at the center of a security crisis, reviving questions over who controls the strategic waterway and how disruptions could affect energy markets worldwide. On Monday, US President Donald Trump announced a proposed 20% fee on cargo passing through the Strait in exchange for US protection, a move Iran swiftly rejected.
According to Anadolu Agency, the proposal by President Trump was met with firm opposition from Iran, which has long asserted its responsibility for safeguarding navigation in the strait. Iran accused the US of attempting to assert authority over an international waterway. The situation intensified following the February 28 strikes on Iran, which led to shipping disruptions as Iran imposed restrictions and threatened vessels linked to its adversaries. Although an MoU in June temporarily eased tensions, the situation escalated again when the IRGC Navy declared the strait closed "until further notice," a claim the US disputed.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial maritime chokepoint linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is the sole sea route for oil exports from several Gulf countries and carries a significant share of global liquefied natural gas exports. Any disruption in this narrow waterway, which is only about 33 kilometers wide at its narrowest point, can immediately affect global energy supplies and push oil prices higher.
No single country controls the Strait of Hormuz. The northern coastline belongs to Iran, while the southern coastline is shared by Oman and the UAE. International maritime law provides for "transit passage" through straits used for international navigation, which generally allows commercial and military vessels to pass continuously and without unnecessary delay.
Under international law, countries cannot unilaterally impose protection fees on foreign vessels for using an international strait. Charges can only be levied for specific services such as pilotage or port facilities. The US and Iran's differing interpretations of international law, particularly as neither is a party to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, complicate the legal landscape regarding Iran's claims that it can require prior authorization for some military vessels.
Iran insists it is primarily responsible for the security of the Strait due to its geographical proximity. Conversely, the US maintains a significant naval presence in the region, arguing that it ensures freedom of navigation and the stability of global energy supplies. The ongoing disputes underscore the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and the complex geopolitical dynamics at play.