EU rejects tolls on Strait of Hormuz

The European Union (EU) on Thursday firmly rejected any proposals to impose transit fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the need to keep the vital waterway open to global trade without financial barriers.

"International law provides for the freedom of navigation, which means... basically no payment or toll whatsoever," European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said. "Freedom of navigation is a public good and needs to be ensured."

He added that any attempt to levy transit charges would constitute a clear violation of international maritime conventions governing passage through strategic straits.