60 nations reject Iran's toll demand on Hormuz Strait passage

Iran has reasserted its authority over the Strait of Hormuz and called for payment from vessels transiting through the strategic chokepoint, a move that has triggered unified opposition from a broad coalition of trading nations. The European Union's statement emphasized its strong stance against any new toll or fee mechanisms imposed on maritime traffic through the passage, which remains critical to global energy supplies and international commerce. The coordinated response from approximately 60 countries signals widespread concern about potential restrictions on free passage through one of the world's most important shipping lanes. The Strait of Hormuz, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, handles roughly one-third of global maritime petroleum trade and serves as a vital corridor for merchant vessels from numerous nations. Iran's demand for transit fees represents a significant escalation in tensions around the waterway and threatens to disrupt established international maritime practices that guarantee freedom of navigation through international straits.