Oman proposes fee‑free Hormuz passage as US President Trump vows US control

Oman has put forward a proposal for free transit of container ships through the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz, seeking to restore pre‑war shipping conditions without fees. The plan, discussed by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al‑Busaidi and Iran’s counterpart Abbas Araqchi in Muscat, would keep the northern route under Iran’s jurisdiction but also fee‑free, pending Tehran’s agreement. The proposal is part of the broader framework agreement between the United States and Iran that calls for coordination with Gulf states on the strait’s management.

In parallel, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will retain control over the Hormuz corridor and seek financial compensation for that role, accusing Iran of violating the memorandum of understanding (MoU) and continuing attacks on vessels and regional bases. The US has conducted strikes on Iranian radar sites and maritime drones, while Tehran argues the MoU’s terms allow it to direct traffic through its territorial waters. The breakdown of the MoU has led to a halt in the agreed‑upon 60‑day fee waiver, heightening tensions over the vital maritime chokepoint that carries a large share of global oil trade.