The New York Times reports, citing an Iranian official and four diplomats, that
Oman has submitted a formal proposal to the US and Western allies to charge
vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. US negotiators have received the
proposal, expressed concerns and plan further talks. Oman’s plan borrows from
the Malacca/Singapore model — a private fund collecting voluntary contributions
for navigation safety — and diplomats say payments would be voluntary; Iranian
officials say the fees would be mandatory. If implemented, the plan would
represent a significant change to existing transit arrangements for the
strategic waterway.
