EU Rejects Trump and Iran's Proposed Fees for Strait of Hormuz Transit

The European Commission has firmly rejected any attempts by Iran or the United States to impose fees on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. While stating that the final decision on whether to pay rests with individual shipping companies, the EU's executive body underscored that such tolls violate international maritime law.

"International law provides for freedom of navigation. What does this mean? It means the absence of any payments or fees," declared European Commission spokesperson Anuar El-Anuni. He emphasized that the strategic waterway, like all sea routes, is a common good for humanity and navigation must remain free.

The EU's response came a day after former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested creating a "joint venture" with Tehran to establish a paid passage system for the strait, a vital artery for global oil, gas, and fertilizer shipments. A White House spokesperson later stated the idea would be "discussed further," but stressed that the immediate priority was resuming navigation "without any restrictions, whether in the form of tolls or otherwise."

The Strait of Hormuz has been under tight Iranian control since late February following U.S.-Israeli strikes, disrupting supply chains and causing energy prices to spike globally. Although a ceasefire announced earlier this week aimed to reopen the strait safely, it was closed again on Wednesday after Israeli strikes on Lebanon.

Chaos persisted in the waterway on Thursday, with shipping data showing only a handful of vessels managing passage. An estimated 2,000 ships and 20,000 sailors remain trapped in the Persian Gulf.

Iran has reportedly implemented a new transit system, charging vessels one dollar per barrel of oil carried onboard. Payments can be made in Chinese yuan or cryptocurrency—options designed to circumvent Western financial controls.

For Brussels, neither Trump's proposed joint venture nor Iran's per-barrel fee is acceptable. The EU argues they contravene the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which strictly prohibits charges for mere transit. Fees are only permissible for specific services like port access or maintenance.

When asked if European companies should pay or stay put, the Commission stated that private operators must decide based on their own interests. "The companies and shipowners concerned must decide for themselves whether they want to pay this fee despite everything," said spokesperson Paula Piño.

Tehran views control over the strait as its primary leverage and shows no willingness to make concessions unless Washington reciprocates. On April 9th, Trump warned Iran against imposing tolls on tankers via his Truth Social platform: "There are reports that Iran is charging fees for tankers passing through... They better not do it."