Trump-Iran Hormuz toll plan triggers backlash from Greece and UN
Oil tanker (Photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump has proposed introducing a joint system with Iran to collect fees from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This initiative has already drawn sharp criticism from the international community and relevant organizations over the risk of setting a bad example, according to Reuters.
The UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) issued a sharp warning. Charging fees for transit through international waters violates established rules. No existing agreement allows for the imposition of such duties. This decision could destroy the global shipping system.
A spokesperson for the agency emphasized that such an idea is illegal. Any tolls in the straits would become a point of no return for maritime law.
"There is no international agreement where tolls can be introduced for transiting international straits. Any such toll will set a dangerous precedent," the UN stated.
Greece, which owns the world's largest merchant fleet, is outraged by the proposal. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the Iran-US plan unacceptable.
In a comment to journalists, Mitsotakis emphasized that the rules of the game cannot be changed during or after conflicts.
"I don't think that the international community would be ready to accept Iran setting up a toll booth for every ship that crosses the strait," the Greek prime minister said.
He also added:
"But this agreement cannot, I repeat, cannot include a sort of a fee that ships will have to pay every time they cross the strait. This was not the case before the war started and it cannot be the case after the war finishes."
Why the Strait of Hormuz is critically important
This waterway is the carotid artery of the global economy. The Strait is located between Iran, Oman, and the UAE. The main oil export routes from the Persian Gulf pass through it.
Key figures:
- 20 million barrels of oil pass through here daily;
- One-fifth of the world's liquefied natural gas is transported via this route;
- The Strait is the most important energy hub on the planet.
What exactly is Trump proposing?
The US President sees the Strait as a source of big money. He believes that a joint enterprise with Iran will help protect the region. According to him, this will pave the way for rebuilding the Iranian economy.
Recent events around the Strait of Hormuz
Against the backdrop of the Strait of Hormuz closure, the Gulf countries are considering building new oil pipelines to bypass the strait. Previously, similar projects were repeatedly halted due to high costs and complexity, but now sentiment in the region has changed, and discussions are moving from theory to practice.
Analysts predict that even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens, fuel prices worldwide could continue to rise for several months.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called the diesel shortage one of the main problems facing our country. However, Ukraine has already reached agreements with Middle Eastern countries to obtain fuel volumes for a year.
