Marco Rubio warns against tolls on Strait of Hormuz, stresses free navigation

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and that no country may impose fees or tolls on vessels passing through it. Speaking at a Gulf cooperation council meeting in Bahrain and later in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait, he warned that any attempt to levy charges could set a precedent for other global waterways and undermine the international shipping regime.

Rubio said the United States will coordinate closely with its Gulf allies – Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and others – to ensure the security of regional partners while negotiating a durable agreement with Iran. He noted that upcoming technical talks in Switzerland later in June will continue the Iran‑U.S. dialogue, and stressed that the United States will not take actions that jeopardise the safety of its allies.

The statements come amid Iran’s own warnings that unapproved navigation routes are “unacceptable” and a broader diplomatic push involving Saudi‑Iran foreign‑minister contacts to advance regional stability.