IMO Chief Rejects Iran's Proposal to Impose Fees on Strait of Hormuz Shipping

New York. The head of a United Nations-affiliated body has stated that the international community must reject Iran's proposal to collect fees from ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, labeling it a violation of international law. 

Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), clarified in an interview with Al Jazeera that no country has the authority to impose fees on such international waterways. 

“Countries cannot establish arrangements to impose fees or taxes in such straits,” he said, “Doing so would be contrary to international law.” He further called on all nations to reject such practices, warning that they would set a negative precedent for global maritime transport. Iranian officials have been demanding the right to collect fees from vessels using the strait even after the war. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has floated the possibility of a joint mechanism for Washington and Tehran to collect fees together. 

Meanwhile, the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran remains in a state of uncertainty. Despite prolonged negotiations between both sides in Islamabad, no agreement could be reached. U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated that the negotiating team returned after Iran rejected conditions, including the demand to halt nuclear weapons development.

Iranian media outlet Press TV, however, reported that the agreement could not be reached due to excessive demands from the American side. The strait and Iran's nuclear program remain the primary points of contention. 

Although a two-week ceasefire was announced, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains largely ineffective, severely impacting the supply of oil and natural gas from the Gulf region.