Strait of Hormuz Reopens: Can Ships’ Safety Be Assured?

The Strait of Hormuz has reopened to commercial shipping after a 60-day suspension by Iran, but maritime security risks remain unresolved as Tehran insists on a new fee structure and the U.S. pushes for a return to pre-crisis conditions.

Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA confirmed Wednesday that the strait—through which 20% of global oil shipments pass—would reopen to all vessels after a temporary halt that disrupted trade and sent oil prices surging. The move follows a U.S.-Iran agreement brokered under the Biden administration, which officials described as a “temporary pause” rather than a permanent resolution. However, Iranian officials have signaled that ships will now face mandatory fees, a demand the U.S. has not yet acknowledged.

What fees will ships pay, and who decides?

Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced that vessels transiting the strait will be required to pay a “security fee” starting July 1, a policy Tehran claims is necessary to fund patrols against “hostile” maritime activity. The fee, estimated at $5 per ton of cargo by Iranian officials, has drawn immediate criticism from the U.S. State Department, which called it an “unjustified economic burden.” A senior State Department official told reporters, “We’ve made clear that any additional costs for shipping must be negotiated transparently and cannot be imposed unilaterally.”

Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, which oversees the region, has maintained heightened patrols but has not ruled out enforcing the fees if they are enforced. “We’re monitoring the situation closely,” said Rear Admiral John F. Miller, commander of the fleet, in a statement. “Our priority remains ensuring the safety and freedom of navigation for all vessels.”

How has shipping traffic recovered, and where are the gaps?

Initial reports suggest a partial rebound in commercial traffic, though volumes remain below pre-crisis levels. Satellite data analyzed by Bloomberg shows that tanker movements through the strait increased by 30% in the first week after the reopening, but major shipping lines—including Maersk and Cosco—have warned of lingering uncertainties. “We’re seeing a cautious return, but confidence is still fragile,” said a spokesperson for Maersk, who declined to specify exact figures.

Iran’s suspension had triggered a diversion of oil tankers to the Suez Canal, a longer and more expensive route. Analysts at The Conversation estimate that rerouting added $1.2 billion in costs for global oil traders during the 60-day period. While some vessels have resumed transit, others—particularly those carrying sensitive cargo—remain in limbo pending clarity on the new fee structure.

What happens next: The U.S.-Iran deadline and beyond

The Biden administration has framed the reopening as a “goodwill gesture” ahead of a scheduled July 10 meeting between U.S. and Iranian officials in Oman. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s office confirmed that the meeting, focused on “maritime security,” would include discussions on the strait’s future. However, Iranian officials have made it clear that the fee policy is non-negotiable unless the U.S. lifts sanctions on Iranian oil exports.

“The fees are a matter of sovereignty, not negotiation,” said Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group. “Tehran’s position is that it will enforce them regardless of Washington’s objections.” The U.S. has not signaled whether it will recognize the fees, leaving the strait’s long-term stability in question.

In the short term, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has urged ships to proceed with caution, noting that Iranian naval exercises in the region have continued unabated. A spokesperson for the IMO told Reuters that “while the strait is open, the security environment remains volatile.”

Why this matters: The precedent for global shipping

The Strait of Hormuz crisis underscores a broader challenge for global trade: the fragility of critical chokepoints in an era of geopolitical tension. Analysts at News.com.au point out that the incident follows a pattern of disruptions in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where Houthi attacks have forced rerouting of container ships. “This isn’t just about Hormuz,” said a maritime risk consultant at Control Risks. “It’s a signal that the rules of the game are being rewritten.”

For now, the focus remains on whether the July 10 talks will yield a compromise—or whether the strait’s reopening marks a temporary truce rather than a lasting solution.