Indonesia Rejects Iran’s Hormuz Strait Toll, Calls It Illegal Under International Law – Full Coverage of Global Backlash and EU Sanctions Expansion

Iran’s proposal to impose fees on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz has drawn widespread international criticism, with multiple countries and organizations rejecting the plan as a violation of international maritime law. The move comes amid heightened regional tensions following attacks attributed to the United States and Israel in late February 2026, which Iran cites as justification for tightening control over the strategic waterway.

According to reports from Iranian state media and verified by international shipping monitors, Tehran has begun discussing legislation in its parliament that would allow the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to charge up to $2 million per vessel for safe passage through the strait. This fee, equivalent to approximately 34 billion Indonesian rupiah based on current exchange rates, would apply to commercial tankers and cargo ships seeking to use what Iran describes as a secured corridor.

The proposal has been met with firm opposition from nations reliant on the strait for energy imports, including Indonesia, which has explicitly stated its rejection of any unilateral toll. Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized that such charges contravene the principle of freedom of navigation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to which Iran is a signatory. He affirmed Jakarta’s commitment to upholding international maritime norms and called for diplomatic resolution rather than coercive measures.

Similarly, the European Union has moved to expand its existing sanctions framework against Iran in response to the Hormuz toll proposal, citing concerns over escalation and unlawful interference with global trade routes. EU officials argued that the plan undermines efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Gulf and violates longstanding principles of unimpeded passage through international straits.

Iran maintains that the fees are necessary to cover security costs incurred while protecting vessels from what it describes as ongoing threats. Iranian officials have compared the toll to standard customs or port fees charged by nations for maritime transit through their territorial waters, arguing that ensuring safe passage justifies compensation.

However, legal experts and maritime authorities widely reject this analogy, noting that UNCLOS specifically prohibits states from levying charges on foreign vessels merely for transiting international straits used for global navigation. The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply passes, falls under this protected regime, meaning any fee imposed by Iran would constitute an illegal obstruction of transit rights.

Shipping industry sources confirm that some vessel operators have already made payments under duress to avoid delays or risks of detention, though many continue to transit without payment while seeking protection through naval escorts from allied forces. The situation has contributed to rising insurance premiums for ships operating in the region and increased operational costs for global energy traders.

Diplomatic channels remain active, with backchannel discussions reportedly underway between Iranian officials and representatives from Oman and the United Arab Emirates to explore alternatives that address Tehran’s security concerns without violating international law. No formal agreements have been reached as of mid-April 2026.

The next key development to watch is the outcome of Iran’s parliamentary debate on the proposed toll legislation, expected to conclude in the coming weeks. Any enactment of the measure would likely trigger further diplomatic protests and potential countermeasures from affected states.

For ongoing updates on maritime security developments in the Gulf of Hormuz, readers are encouraged to follow official statements from the International Maritime Organization and regional naval coalitions monitoring the situation.

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