Rubio tells UAE no country can charge tolls in Strait of Hormuz as U.S. seeks to ease Gulf concerns about Iran deal

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a three-nation Gulf trip in the United Arab Emirates, focusing on how the United States and partners would manage maritime access through the Strait of Hormuz after an agreement intended to end the war with Iran. Speaking in the UAE, Rubio argued that “no country” should be able to charge tolls for passage through the strait, framing the issue as a matter of freedom of navigation and regional stability rather than revenue collection.

The visit is the first leg of Rubio’s tour of Gulf countries, according to PBS NewsHour. The diplomacy is designed to ease concerns among Gulf states about how the post-war agreement will be implemented, particularly on matters that could affect shipping costs, energy supply routes, and the operational environment for regional trade.

In his remarks, Rubio specifically addressed the concept of tolling for use of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for international commerce and energy flows. By saying that no single country should be permitted to impose tolls, he aimed to reduce uncertainty for governments and commercial actors that rely on predictable and open maritime routes.

PBS NewsHour reported that Rubio’s trip is intended to address worries tied to the outcome of the Iran-related agreement. While the report does not detail the agreement’s full terms, the focus in the UAE session centered on the practical implications for maritime access, an area that Gulf officials have said could become a flashpoint if rules are perceived as favoring one party or threatening the security of trade corridors.

The United States has treated the Strait of Hormuz as a vital route where disruptions can have immediate consequences for national and global interests. Against that backdrop, Rubio’s comments indicate Washington is seeking a clear, shared standard that would prevent new fees or restrictions from being imposed by states seeking leverage after the Iran conflict ends.

Rubio’s UAE stop comes as U.S. officials conduct additional outreach across the Gulf as part of the same effort to align expectations before the agreement’s intended end of hostilities. The next legs of the tour are expected to continue discussions with other Gulf partners on implementation issues, including how maritime access rules would be set and enforced to limit regional disagreement and protect shipping stability.

For countries dependent on Gulf trade routes, the question of tolls is closely tied to commercial planning and national security, since changes in passage conditions can raise costs and increase exposure to political or security disputes. Rubio’s stated position suggests the United States is attempting to preempt disagreements that could spill over into broader regional tensions even after fighting associated with Iran ends.