Rubio: Iran cannot impose fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz

Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, said that Iran would not be able to impose charges in the Strait of Hormuz as part of any final agreement with the United States, stressing that such a measure would run counter to international law.

“This is an international maritime lane. No country is allowed to impose taxes or fees on an international maritime lane,” Rubio told reporters, adding that he believed “all countries in this region would agree with us.”

The American diplomat arrived in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, the first stop on a tour of Gulf countries aimed at reassuring US allies affected by Iranian missiles and drones during the war with Iran, a conflict they have opposed.

After arriving in Abu Dhabi, Rubio confirmed that the protocol of the agreement with Iran would be part of the discussions in the talks.

“This will certainly be discussed during these talks,” he told reporters when asked whether he would try to reassure Gulf allies, who have been hit hard by Iranian retaliation following the US-Israel attacks.

“Some points that are not in the memorandum of understanding will certainly be discussed, but the memorandum itself will certainly have to be reviewed,” he said.

Rubio also added that “a careful reading of the memorandum of understanding clearly shows that when we speak, for example, of a complete and final cessation of hostilities across the region, this is not possible as long as Iran’s proxies are launching missiles and drones from Iraq and engaging in terrorist acts, as Hamas and Hezbollah have done.”

The US secretary is expected to hold meetings tomorrow, Wednesday, with UAE authorities before departing for Kuwait and then Bahrain, where the Gulf Cooperation Council meeting will be held on Thursday.