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 m

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.