Keir Starmer, UK prime minister, right, and Haitham bin Tariq, Oman's sultan, during a meeting at Downing Street in London, UK, on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Some leading European powers now accept that ships transiting the vital Strait of Hormuz will have to pay fees to Iran and Oman, according to people familiar with the matter. Photographer: Andy Rain / EPA / BloombergShow lessKeir Starmer, UK prime minister, right, and Haitham bin Tariq, Oman's sultan, during a meeting at Downing Street in London, UK, on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Some leading European powers now accept that Show moreSultanate is under pressure to adhere to international laws of the seaHaitham bin Tariq, the Sultan of Oman, held talks on pledges of toll free passage through the Strait of Hormuz in a meeting with the UK prime minister on Thursday. The Oxford-educated leader was reported by No 10 Downing St to have discussed with Mr Starmer the emerging shape of Strait arrangements. "They discussed efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and provide shipping with the reassurance needed to transit through the Strait," a statement from the prime minister's office said. "The Prime Minister recognised that Oman’s support was vital, and they agreed to continue to work closely."European officials are attempting to establish with Oman if there’s a way of going back to the pre-war status quo in the Strait of Hormuz. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) welcomes Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman to 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, 02 July 2026. EPA / ANDY RAIN / POOLInfoShips passing through the waterway — a critical point for up to a fifth of energy supplies exported globally — may be charged fees for services related to safeguards on pollution of the Strait and regulation of navigation.“The Prime Minister reiterated his solidarity with Oman and all our partners in the region, as well as his gratitude for Oman’s mediation efforts which contributed to the deal between the US and Iran," the Downing St statement said. Oman has historically maintained relationships with the West and Iran but also faces pressure from both sides. It has always said it will abide by international maritime law.UK officials called on Thursday for the right of transit passage to be fully restored in the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law. This is the only route to stability as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea."It is critical that the Strait is free from the threat of violence and any form of tolls or unlawful impediments, and that all parties comply with their obligations under international law," said James Kariuki, the deputy ambassador to the UN. "The UK is committed to playing our part to achieve this, including through a strictly defensive and independent multinational military mission, led jointly with our French partners to provide reassurance to commercial shipping."Oman sees Malacca strait in Asia as a potential model as it tries to find a solution to appease Iran and sustain its international legal position. A Malacca system would only work if there was total littoral acceptance. It’s unclear whether a voluntary system would be enough for Iran.The Malacca strait is loosely managed between Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, with the countries charging vessels for any navigation and security services that are needed. There is a fund that collects voluntary contributions for safe navigation, though it doesn’t regularly release details of financial contributions. In 2017, Singapore disclosed that $22 million had been raised over a 10-year period for the fund, or roughly $2.2 million per year.Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has increased since Iran and the US signed an interim peace deal around two weeks ago. That agreement, along with American military support for vessels, has boosted oil flows through the chokepoint from the likes of Saudi Arabia, to more than 10 million barrels per day, slightly more than half pre-war levels. Iran has also boosted its crude exports thanks to the US lifting a blockade of its ports.Meeting French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris Sultan Haitham earlier in the week, the pair agreed a joint declaration that they would promote restrictions-free transit.Updated: July 02, 2026, 4:44 PM