Tehran will not be able to charge tolls as part of final agreement with US, says Secretary of State
Abu Dhabi – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in the UAE on Tuesday, kicking off a Gulf diplomatic tour amid ongoing US-Iran negotiations for a permanent peace deal.
Rubio emphasised that any final agreement must respect international law, firmly stating that Iran will not be permitted to impose tolls or fees on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global waterway. “No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway,” he told reporters in Abu Dhabi.
The visit aims to consult key Gulf allies, including the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain, ensuring their perspectives shape the US position. Rubio described the trip as primarily focused on listening to regional partners regarding the interim agreement and potential final deal.
The developments come as Iranian officials met in Oman to establish a joint working group on managing the strait, while a 60-day US waiver has provided temporary relief for Iranian oil exports.
