The European Union has announced its categorical rejection of any financial fees imposed on commercial vessels and oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the need to maintain freedom of navigation in this strategic and vital waterway for global trade. In this context, EU spokesperson Anwar Al-Anouni stated on Thursday that “international law clearly enshrines freedom of navigation, which means that no payments or fees of any kind should be imposed on transiting vessels.” Al-Anouni added that “the Strait of Hormuz, like all other international waterways, is a public good for all humanity, which necessitates that navigation through it be free and open without restrictions.”.
A blatant violation of international law
The French position aligned with the unified European stance, as French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized in remarks made Thursday morning to France Inter radio that any attempt to impose fees on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz is completely unacceptable. Barrot stressed that such a move would constitute a flagrant violation of international law, adding: “This is unacceptable because freedom of navigation in international waters is a universal, human, and commercial right that cannot be restricted by any obstacle or financial charges.” These firm European statements came in response to earlier hints by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday regarding the possibility of launching a joint international project to manage shipping traffic in the Strait based on a toll system.
The strategic and economic importance of the Strait of Hormuz
To understand the dimensions of this international rejection, one must consider the geopolitical and economic importance of the Strait of Hormuz. Connecting the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea, the strait is the world's most vital waterway for energy supplies. According to reliable data, approximately one-fifth of the world's oil consumption, along with enormous quantities of liquefied natural gas, passes through this narrow waterway. Therefore, any disruption to shipping or the imposition of additional fees will inevitably lead to higher shipping and insurance costs, directly and negatively impacting global energy prices and exacerbating inflation, which is already straining the global economy. Furthermore, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea guarantees the right of "inalienable passage" for vessels through international straits, rendering any unilateral fees illegal and contrary to diplomatic norms.
Navigation restrictions and the passage of 15 ships per day
On the ground, despite the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran late Tuesday night, commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz remains severely restricted. In a significant development, an Iranian official stated that Tehran will not allow more than 15 ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz daily. Al-Arabiya television quoted the Russian news agency TASS confirming the Iranian official's statement regarding this strict restriction.
For its part, the White House commented on these developments, expressing cautious optimism that things would return to normal in the very near future if the Strait of Hormuz were fully reopened to international trade. The White House explained in a statement that sporadic ship traffic had been observed through the strait, indicating continued activity, albeit at a slower pace than usual. The international community, particularly energy-importing nations, remains focused on this waterway, amid ongoing calls for maritime routes to be kept free from political and military conflicts to ensure the stability of the global economy.
