We’re currently caught in the middle of a fragile two-week ceasefire intended to facilitate negotiations with the Iranian regime. However, the regime has proven to be anything but trustworthy. There have been reports of ongoing provocations in the Strait of Hormuz, with claims that they even attempted to impose transit charges on vessels. This was a concern even before the ceasefire was established.
In response to these claims, Oman took a stand against one fake news report that suggested they had struck an agreement with Iran to collect tolls during the two-week period. Situated on the southern side of the Strait, Oman firmly denied this, stating that such an arrangement was not feasible because:
Oman cannot enforce tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, citing its obligations as a signatory to international maritime agreements, per the Transport Minister.
The AP, citing a regional official who had been directly involved in negotiations, reports the ceasefire plan includes allowing both Iran and Oman to charge fees on ships transiting through the Strait and that Iran would use the money it raised for reconstruction.
It appears that Iran is trying to do so anyway, which would breach the ceasefire agreement meant to keep the Strait accessible.
Meanwhile, President Trump is chiming in, and it seems he’s quite, um, displeased with their actions:
“Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz. This is not the agreement we have!” he exclaimed on Truth Social.
He then addressed the reports about the tolls:
“There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait — They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!”
The question now is the same as it always is with Iran: Will they or won’t they make good on an agreement they previously accepted?
Remember why Trump ended Barack Obama’s joke “nuclear agreement” with Iran? Because they were cheating.
We’ll see what Trump does next.