Gulf States Reject Iran’s Toll on Ships Using Strait of Hormuz

Six Middle Eastern Gulf nations have rejected Iran’s decision to impose tolls on vessels passing through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, calling the move “illegal.”

The countries—Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman—are all members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The position was announced Tuesday in a statement issued after a GCC meeting held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The statement was delivered by GCC Secretary-General Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

In the statement, the GCC strongly condemned Iran’s attempt to collect tolls from ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz, describing the action as unlawful and unacceptable. Member states said they completely reject any such measures.

The Strait of Hormuz, a 167-kilometer-long waterway linking the Arabian Sea to the Persian Gulf, is one of the world’s most critical maritime routes. Nearly one-fifth of global energy supplies pass through this corridor.

Tensions escalated following disputes involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. On February 28, Iran temporarily halted shipping traffic through the strait and later warned it would target vessels associated with the United States or Israel.

Subsequently, Tehran announced that commercial ships could resume passage only if they obtained permission from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and paid a toll of $1 per barrel of transported oil.

At the latest meeting, GCC member states firmly rejected these conditions, reiterating their opposition to any restrictions or fees imposed by Iran on international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.