On Sunday, six vessels successfully exited the Persian Gulf, hugging the Omani coastline. This movement followed a period of confusion, where several tankers abruptly reversed course near Oman. Four of those vessels subsequently shifted toward the Iranian-controlled lane to complete their transit, highlighting the volatile decision-making forced upon shipowners. The instability is compounded by Iran’s renewed insistence on imposing service fees for vessels passing through the Strait.

Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, Iran’s Ambassador to China, stated that the country intends to enforce these charges, framing them as essential for security and environmental oversight. While Fazli clarified that these are not traditional tolls and promised special considerations for China and other friendly nations, the United States remains firmly opposed to the regime. Fearful of potential targeting or detention, some operators continue to transit the area with transponders disabled, creating a blind spot for global energy markets that struggle to gauge actual supply flows.