It reframes the crisis as a lasting economic event rather than a shipping delay: the countries hurt worst are those that had no leverage in the war and no alternative supply route.
Iran issued a fresh warning for vessels to follow Tehran-designated routes through the strait, while Iranian officials discussed unfreezing assets and Axios reported U.S. envoys pressing Iran not to introduce tolls. Iranian negotiators then left Doha, pausing diplomacy ahead of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral. Qatar said the indirect discussions had made positive progress.
Why this matters. Diplomacy stopped for the funeral while the routing dispute stayed live, which is why the following week produced attacks rather than an agreement.
Qatar confirmed technical talks between Iran and the United States were continuing with no high-level meetings scheduled, and Vice President Vance said talks were going well. CENTCOM said its commander spoke with regional military counterparts about the security environment including the strait. Oman delivered a proposal to the United States and allies for shipping companies to pay service fees to use the waterway.
Why this matters. The Omani fee proposal is the compromise that keeps resurfacing: Washington objects to a charge controlled by Iran, not to a charge in principle, which leaves the door open to a tolled strait under someone else's flag.
The IMO published an UNCTAD report titled Strait of Hormuz Disruptions: Beyond reopening, lasting impacts on vulnerable economies, assessing the economic damage to import-dependent states. The IMO has logged 51 maritime incidents involving commercial vessels across the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman since the war began.
Why this matters. It reframes the crisis as a lasting economic event rather than a shipping delay: the countries hurt worst are those that had no leverage in the war and no alternative supply route.