Gulf leaders reject any fees on Hormuz ships, demand free navigation
Gulf Cooperation Council leaders rejected Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz as “illegal” and opposed any fees on ships transiting the waterway. At a consultative meeting in Jeddah, they called for secure and free navigation and ordered steps for a joint oil and gas pipeline and an early warning system against ballistic missiles.
Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have rejected any attempt to impose fees on vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz and called for secure, unrestricted navigation in the strategic waterway, the bloc’s secretary-general announced on Tuesday. Speaking after a consultative meeting in the Saudi city of Jeddah, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said the Gulf leaders described Iran’s closure of the strait as “illegal.” They also ordered swift steps to build a joint oil and gas pipeline and an early warning system to counter ballistic missile threats.
Energy chokepoint
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, with roughly one-fifth of global oil supply passing through it daily before the war between Iran, the US, and Israel began on Feb. 28. The waterway has faced major disruptions since early March. The conflict is currently on hold under a ceasefire, while diplomatic efforts continue to reach a lasting agreement. Iran has demanded that ships coordinate with Tehran and pay fees for passage—demands the GCC rejects as a violation of international law.
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