ISLAMABAD — Iran is seeking international backing for its proposal to impose tolls on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. However, on Tuesday, Gulf countries expressed their opposition to the plan, aligning with the United States during a meeting aimed at crafting a collective response to the ongoing crisis.
The Saudi Press Agency reported that leaders at the Gulf Cooperation Council summit, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, deliberated on various regional and global issues, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to address them.
The gathering of Gulf Cooperation Council leaders follows a diplomatic visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Oman. In this visit, Araghchi proposed a potential deal where Iran and Oman would share control over the strategically important strait. This information was confirmed by several U.S. and regional sources.
Nevertheless, Oman, a member of the GCC and one of the nations targeted by Iranian strikes early in the conflict, declined Iran’s proposal. This leaves Tehran in a difficult position as it attempts to exert authority over this vital oil passageway.
“Forgiveness may come, but they will never forget Iran’s past actions,” a source involved in the mediation efforts commented on the stance of the Gulf nations.
The source further stated, “There is no interest among Gulf countries in contributing to Iran’s reconstruction. Consequently, they are unwilling to allow Iran to control the strait or impose tolls on passing ships.”
Oman’s stance backs that of President Trump’s: that Iran cannot be allowed to toll nations for access to the strait, former Pentagon official and Atlantic Council fellow Alex Plitsas told The Post.
“The GCC states support the administration’s assertion that Iran cannot control the Strait of Hormuz nor be able to toll it or be able to close the straits at any time of their choosing,” he said.
“Iran’s strategy of attacking GCC states as it means to put pressure on the United States absolutely backfired and set relations back with their Gulf neighbors by decades,” Plitsas said.
“It was a grave and profoundly stupid mistake.”
The expert also warned that the powerful, oil-rich nations’ “patience is wearing thin” as the waterway remains closed and the threat of further Iranian attacks hangs above their heads.
General negotiations between the US and Iran in Islamabad in Pakistan are currently stalled.
“Renewed or continued Iranian aggression toward Gulf States will not go unanswered in perpetuity,” Plitsas said.
Tuesday’s meeting was the first the GCC held since the war began two months ago.
As the conflict soon enters its third month, Qatar on Tuesday said Doha wants to see a swift end to the war â but that it must be lasting.
âWe do not want to see a return to hostilities in the region anytime soon,” Qatarâs foreign ministry spokesman, Majed al-Ansari, said at a press conference.
“We do not want to see a frozen conflict that ends up being thawed every time there is a political reason.”
