Gary O’Donoghue
Chief North America correspondent

The Strait of Hormuz will be toll-free for 60 days under the terms of the US-Iran deal, according to senior US officials.

According to a senior official, the agreement between the US and Iran reads: “Upon the signing of this MoU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days, only from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa.”

There will then be a discussion between Iran and other Gulf states and Oman, the officials said.

According to the briefing, the agreement reads: “The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz, in discussion with other Persian Gulf littoral states in line with the applicable international law.”

This would open the possibility that tolls could be a reality in future.

However, a senior US official expressed confidence that the Strait of Hormuz would remain free of tolls after these negotiations.

Speaking to journalists, they said: “Of course, I’m sure the Iranians will assert their rights as aggressively as they can, but fundamentally [the deal is] toll-free passage of the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days. That will continue because the Persian Gulf states will never agree to an arrangement that doesn’t permit toll free access to the Strait of Hormuz for themselves and their industries.”

Gary O’Donoghue
Chief North America correspondent

The Strait of Hormuz will be toll-free for 60 days under the terms of the US-Iran deal, according to senior US officials.

According to a senior official, the agreement between the US and Iran reads: “Upon the signing of this MoU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days, only from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa.”

There will then be a discussion between Iran and other Gulf states and Oman, the officials said.

According to the briefing, the agreement reads: “The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz, in discussion with other Persian Gulf littoral states in line with the applicable international law.”

This would open the possibility that tolls could be a reality in future.

However, a senior US official expressed confidence that the Strait of Hormuz would remain free of tolls after these negotiations.

Speaking to journalists, they said: “Of course, I’m sure the Iranians will assert their rights as aggressively as they can, but fundamentally [the deal is] toll-free passage of the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days. That will continue because the Persian Gulf states will never agree to an arrangement that doesn’t permit toll free access to the Strait of Hormuz for themselves and their industries.”