The United States has rejected Iran's "unreasonable demands" To impose tolls on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to a U.S. Official who told Reuters on Tuesday. Both Washington and Oman have dismissed Iran's proposal, with the official stressing that no agreement under discussion would permit Iran to collect mandatory charges from vessels using the strategic shipping route.
A Gulf source told Reuters that Oman had secured support from several Gulf nations for an alternative proposal to create a joint regional framework with Iran to oversee the Strait of Hormuz through voluntary user fees. The proposal was delivered to Iranian officials during meetings in Tehran over the weekend. Under such an arrangement, Iran would have a shared role in administering the waterway rather than exercising exclusive control.
The Strait of Hormuz has become central to negotiations aimed at resolving tensions between the United States and Iran. Before the conflict, roughly 20 percent of the world's oil exports and liquefied natural gas shipments passed through the corridor. Iran has insisted the strait cannot simply return to its pre-war status, when international shipping moved through without restrictions. Gulf Arab states have firmly opposed any arrangement requiring vessels to pay compulsory fees to Iran.
President Donald Trump said Monday that Iran has been "tapped everyone along" For decades but indicated negotiations between the two sides are moving forward positively. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that Iran sought renewed talks after sustaining significant damage from recent U.S. Military strikes.
"They want to meet, and we're meeting. We'll see what happens. There's a chance we can make a deal," Trump said, adding that Iran's request for talks resulted from U.S. Pressure. "Without what we did, they wouldn't even be talking to us. They requested a meeting through their surrogates and directly and we're meeting."
Trump said he was in no rush to conclude negotiations and suggested the military campaign had altered conditions in the region. "I have plenty of time. The whole shoreline is wiped out. The Strait is in very good shape. And we're talking right now."
Trump expressed optimism about diplomacy but warned that military action remains an option if talks collapse. "We're having good talks, so we'll see what happens. I think there's a good chance something could happen. And if it doesn't, we go back to doing what we were doing two days ago."