Iran Demands Compensation for Strait Use as UAE Confirms Ship Attack

Iran has escalated its demands regarding the strategic Strait of Hormuz, with its foreign minister insisting on compensation for ensuring safe passage through the vital waterway.

The statement comes as the United Arab Emirates confirmed that one of its national tankers was targeted in a fresh attack, heightening tensions in the region.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi addressed the issue amid ongoing turmoil in the strait, which has been a flashpoint since conflict erupted in late February. He questioned who should be compensated for providing security to commercial vessels.

“Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service,” Araghchi said in a social media post, adding that “Iran has always been the guardian of the Strait and will remain so forever.”

He suggested that a 20 percent fee floated by the United States was excessive, stating, “Twenty percent is of course too much. We will be fair” .

The remarks followed US President Donald Trump’s proposal to collect a 20 percent fee from ships passing through the strait, a plan he justified by calling the US the “guardian” of the waterway and demanding reimbursement from Gulf allies for protection. The escalating war of words coincides with continued military actions.

The UAE confirmed that a vessel belonging to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company was hit by a missile while transiting the strait early Saturday.

This follows previous attacks on ADNOC-linked vessels, including an incident in May where the UAE condemned what it described as an Iranian drone attack using two unmanned aerial vehicles, though no injuries were reported.

The UAE has strongly condemned these actions, describing them as a dangerous escalation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that targeting commercial vessels and using the strait as a means of pressure constitutes “acts of piracy” by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

It called for an immediate halt to hostilities and the full and unconditional reopening of the strait to safeguard regional security and global trade stability.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue amidst the chaos. Araghchi stated that Iran and Oman are “very close” to an agreement on designating a temporary route for maritime traffic in the strait.

However, he indicated that the strait’s full reopening hinges on other conditions, including compensation from the United States for violations of a previous memorandum of understanding.

These developments unfold against a backdrop of US military operations aimed at restoring navigation, which have been met with warnings and threats from Iranian forces.