Rubio Insists Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Toll-Free Amid Gulf Tensions

US Reassures Gulf Allies on Hormuz Freedom of Navigation

The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has firmly stated that no country, including Iran, would be allowed to charge tolls for shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. During his arrival in Abu Dhabi, Rubio emphasized that the US would ensure freedom of navigation through this critical waterway, citing existing international law that prohibits tolls on international waterways.

Rubio's Gulf Tour and the Ceasefire Agreement

Rubio's visit to the Gulf region comes as part of efforts to reassure allies that the US remains committed to their security despite the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week. The agreement established a period of toll-free passage through the strait, after which Iran and Oman would discuss the "future administration and maritime services" in line with international law.

The Secretary's tour includes meetings with officials from the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain, all of which host significant US military bases and have been affected by Iranian missile attacks during the recent conflict. Rubio also addressed concerns about potential spoiler roles from Israel's conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, stating that Iranian proxies must respect the ceasefire.

Financial Implications of the Iran Deal

The agreement carries significant financial consequences, with Iran expecting roughly $6 billion of its assets locked in Qatar to be unfrozen, plus another $6 billion as a repayable loan from Doha. Additionally, Iran can anticipate at least $8 billion in income over the next two months following a US Treasury sanctions waiver on Iranian oil exports.

Some internal Iranian estimates suggest unhindered oil sales—primarily to China—could generate over $30 billion annually, though Iran has historically traded at discounted prices to evade US sanctions. Meanwhile, President Trump claimed the unfrozen assets would be under US control and used to purchase US food and medical supplies, a claim directly denied by Iranian officials.

Regional Divisions and Strategic Concerns

The Gulf region remains divided over the deal. While Qatar played a central role in mediating the agreement, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain express fears that substantial funds handed to Iran may be reinvested in its military program. These allies demand absolute clarity that tolls will not be charged in the Strait of Hormuz and want any final agreement to address limits on Iran's ballistic missiles program.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that Iran's ballistic missiles program would "never" be part of future agreements, arguing they are essential for self-defense. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have accused the UAE, Kuwait and Jordan of assisting the US in attacking Iran, with Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei warning that Iran would "definitely not abandon this issue" and would "both document and demand" accountability.

Future Outlook for US-Iran Relations in the Gulf

The long-term Iranian strategy appears aimed at persuading Gulf states to eject the US from the region. Some Iranian voices are calling for rapprochement with regional powers, potentially forming an alliance with Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt. This shifting landscape is reflected in Iran's recent diplomatic outreach, including Pezeshkian's first overseas visit to Pakistan since the war ended.

Despite current tensions, there are signs of potential de-escalation, with the UAE—having the closest economic ties with Iran—appearing to seek defusion of the crisis. The increased shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, with 36 ships passing through on Monday (the highest volume since March 1), suggests a degree of normalcy returning to the waterway. However, the fundamental strategic competition between the US and Iran in the Gulf region shows no signs of resolution in the near term.