Qatar opposes permanent Hormuz shipping tolls but says temporary fees are

Qatar cautioned against permanent transit tariffs in the Strait of Hormuz, arguing they would raise prices for global buyers. Doha and its Gulf partners oppose a protracted toll framework, according to Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. While opposing long-term charges, he left room for short-term, security-linked fees tied to operations such as mine-clearing, if negotiated. The minister highlighted the broader geopolitical context as Iran and Oman pursue a framework to regulate traffic through the chokepoint. The Joint Maritime Information Centre said the threat level in Hormuz remains 'critical' amid a wider U.S. naval blockade linked to Tehran, and Oman’s Maritime Security Centre issued an emergency alert after spotting a possible naval mine west of the Inshore Traffic Zone, underscoring the fragility of regional shipping. The statements come as regional diplomacy intensifies and discussions on security arrangements continue, shaping potential frameworks for Hormuz transit amid ongoing tensions in the Gulf.