UN Maritime Chief Deems Iran's Fees on Strait of Hormuz Illegal

The head of the UN Maritime Agency has stated that Iran’s efforts to collect fees from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz are illegal and should be rejected by the international community. He considers that no country may impose fees on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Quoted from Al-Jazeera on Sunday (12/4/2026), this was expressed by the head of the global shipping oversight body amid uncertainty surrounding the fragile ceasefire between that country and the United States. Iranian authorities have demanded the right to collect fees from ships passing through the strait, including after the war ends.

US President Donald Trump has also raised the possibility of a ‘joint venture’ for collecting payments operated by Washington and Tehran.

“Countries do not have the right to introduce instruments or payments or fees in this strait,” said the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Arsenio Dominguez.

He stated that the imposition of any fees contravenes international law. He expressed concern that it could set a precedent for other countries.

“The introduction of any fees is something that contravenes international law. And I would call on anyone not to follow and use such services because it is a precedent that would be very detrimental to global shipping,” he said.

Dominguez delivered his comments amid marathon ceasefire talks between US and Iranian officials in Pakistan that ended without agreement. US Vice President JD Vance said Tehran has not accepted Washington’s terms for a deal, including that Iran will not pursue nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Press TV stated that excessive demands from the US side have prevented an agreement, with the strait and the country’s nuclear programme among the points of contention.