France and Oman press toll-free Hormuz passage

France and Oman have moved to reinforce free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting any mandatory transit fee or political condition on vessels using one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

The position emerged during Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s official visit to Paris, where he held talks with President Emmanuel Macron on maritime security, mine-clearance operations and diplomatic efforts to stabilise the Gulf after months of disruption to commercial shipping. The two sides said freedom of navigation must be restored without delay, while any future management arrangements for the waterway should respect international law and the sovereignty of littoral states.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between Oman and Iran, carries about a fifth of global oil flows and a significant share of liquefied natural gas exports from the Gulf. Its partial closure and the threat of mines have slowed cargo traffic, raised insurance costs and forced shipping companies to reassess routes through the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi has said Muscat remains committed to keeping the strait open, safe and free for international navigation and does not support imposing fees on ships using the waterway. That assurance has become central to diplomatic efforts as Iran and Oman discuss a working mechanism for navigation, maritime services and safety arrangements.

France has backed Oman’s role as a mediator and coastal state, while pushing for demining and secure maritime routes. Paris sees the issue as both a Gulf security matter and a direct concern for Europe’s energy and trade flows. French officials have also stressed that freedom of passage through Hormuz cannot be made subject to unilateral charges or political leverage.

The Paris talks followed Oman-Iran discussions in Muscat, where the two neighbouring states agreed to form a joint working group involving their foreign ministries. That group is expected to consult other coastal states and stakeholders on future navigation procedures. The initiative reflects Oman’s attempt to maintain dialogue with Tehran while reassuring shipowners, energy exporters and Western governments that Hormuz will not become a toll-controlled passage.

The timing is delicate. The International Maritime Organization has begun a scheme to move stranded vessels through temporary tracks after hundreds of ships and thousands of seafarers were caught inside the Gulf. The operation allows vessels to use a northern route through Iranian waters and a southern route coordinated through Omani and US-linked channels, although shipmasters have been told to wait for instructions to avoid congestion and collision risks.

Traffic has improved from the lowest point of the crisis but remains far below normal levels. Before the conflict began in February, the strait handled about 125 vessel movements a day. By late June, daily sailings were still only a fraction of that volume, with many operators keeping transponders off or delaying voyages until clearer security guarantees are available.

The danger from mines remains a major obstacle. Maritime security specialists have warned that clearance operations could take several weeks, using conventional minesweepers and underwater drones. Even unconfirmed mine risks are enough to deter tankers, as a supertanker and its cargo can be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Shipping executives have said insurance underwriters will need credible assurances before allowing vessels to resume normal transit patterns.

Energy producers have nevertheless continued oil and LNG loadings where possible. Crude tankers have departed Ras Tanura and ports in the UAE, while LNG shipments from Qatar and Abu Dhabi have continued towards destinations including Kuwait, China and the Dahej terminal on India’s west coast. Several vessels have operated with reduced visibility on public tracking systems, reflecting the balance between keeping exports moving and limiting exposure to attack.

The issue of fees has sharpened diplomatic sensitivities. Iran has sought a greater role in regulating the strait, while Western governments have opposed any arrangement that could resemble a toll. Oman’s public stance gives France and other partners a regional anchor for a legal framework based on navigation support and safety coordination rather than compulsory payment.