---
title: "New Oil Tax: Europe Ready to Pay Iran for Passage Through the Strait of Hormuz"
description: "Europe is ready to pay Iran for the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, although the US and Saudi Arabia oppose creating such a precedent. Oman is considering the Malacca Strait model as a template for collecting fees. 🚢🌍💰"
date: 2026-07-03T13:44:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/new-oil-tax-europe-ready-to-pay-iran-for-passage-through-the-strait-of-hormuz
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# New Oil Tax: Europe Ready to Pay Iran for Passage Through the Strait of Hormuz

![Iranian oil tanker ABBA under Iranian flag in the Strait of Hormuz, escorted by an armed patrol boat — symbol of new tax control on oil routes](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/03/evropa-gotova-platit-iranu-za-prohod-cherez-ormuzskiy-proliv/evropa-gotova-platit-iranu-za-prohod-cherez-ormuzskiy-proliv-1.webp)

The world is witnessing a shift in the approach to the security of one of the planet's most vital trade routes. Europe has come to terms with the fact that the passage of tankers through the Strait of Hormuz will no longer be free. The question for Western diplomats and businessmen is no longer whether to pay or not, but what the final price of this service will be.

According to sources, a number of leading European states are de facto agreeing that ships passing through the strait will pay fees to Iran and Oman. Two anonymous participants in the discussion confirmed that the prospect of introducing fees for services in Hormuz is supported at a high level. Notably, representatives of some Arab countries in the Persian Gulf share similar thoughts, although this has not yet become the official position of their governments.

### Disagreements in the Coalition

Despite Europe's readiness for compromise, the position of the United States and its closest allies remains firm. Washington, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain continue to insist that any fees for using this waterway are unacceptable. Countries fear that paying for passage will create a dangerous precedent that other states could use to monetize their maritime borders.

Oman, in turn, warns its allies that ships in Hormuz may be required to pay, and this is a matter of time. European countries, having accepted the inevitability of additional expenses, are urging Iranian and Omani officials not to discriminate against ships based on citizenship to avoid chaos in logistics.

### The Malacca Precedent and Military Threats

In search of a solution, Oman is studying the model of the Malacca Strait in Asia. Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore have long been charging ships for navigation and security services in this narrow passage. However, implementing a similar scheme in the Persian Gulf requires the consent of all states in the region, including Iran, whose position remains not entirely clear.

Alongside diplomatic maneuvers, military tension continues. The UK and France are insisting on the creation of an international naval coalition to assist in the demining of the strait, but the deployment of forces will depend on the success of peace negotiations between the US and Iran. Currently, Iran and a key Western naval group have each proposed a corridor for safe passage.

The situation intensified following events at the end of February, when the Islamic Republic effectively blocked the waterway amidst US and Israeli bombings. This triggered a sharp rise in energy prices and a shortage of goods. Last week, the sides planned a meeting to resolve the crisis, however, on June 28, US military forces struck Iranian targets in the area of the strait in response to an Iranian attack against a commercial tanker.