TEHRAN-MUSCAT, July 3. /Dunyo IA/. Iran and Oman have proposed to the United States a mechanism for the joint management of the Strait of Hormuz that includes the introduction of administrative fees for its maintenance, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

According to four sources cited by “NBC News,” the proposal is based on a memorandum of understanding signed by the United States and Iran last month. Under the document, ships would be allowed to pass freely and safely through the Strait of Hormuz during the first 60 days. After that, the management framework would be determined jointly by Iran and Oman, together with other Gulf states.

Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi said Muscat does not support mandatory transit payments for ships and would only accept voluntary funding, similar to arrangements used for other international straits.

The White House stated that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and cannot be subject to mandatory transit fees. “President Donald Trump has made it clear that Iran cannot charge for passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also noted that international law does not permit such tariffs on global maritime routes.

Sources familiar with the negotiations said Oman has not yet submitted a formal proposal, and U.S. negotiators have concerns, although the issue could be resolved at the technical level with Muscat.

A Middle Eastern source cited by “NBC News” said Iran is insisting on higher fees and believes the United States could agree to a payment mechanism. According to the source, the fees could be collected through the International Maritime Organization, with the funds distributed between Iran and Oman.

The funds could be used for environmental assessments, search-and-rescue operations, and navigational support, similar to the model used in the Strait of Malacca. Oman has financed the maintenance of the strait for many years without charging transit fees.

The source also said that “perhaps now is the right time to introduce some kind of fees.”

Negotiations between the United States and Iran are expected to resume after the mourning ceremonies for Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Major General Ali Abdollahi, warned the United States and Israel against any attacks on Iran during the state funeral.