TRUE OR FALSE. Does the toll project in the Strait of Hormuz mentioned by Iran and Donald Trump violate the law

The French Minister of Foreign Affairs stated on Thursday that such a tax would violate the principle of freedom of navigation for ships, as guaranteed by the United Nations Convention. However, neither Iran nor the United States have ratified this convention, so they can avoid it.

Published on 09/04/2026 at 18:58

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(Image: A ship crosses the Strait of Hormuz on April 8, 2026. SHADY ALASSAR / ANADOLU via AFP)

Will there soon be a toll to cross the Strait of Hormuz? This project is “illegal” because “international waters are free for the navigation of ships,” said the Foreign Minister on France Inter. Jean-Noël Barrot reacted to Iran’s initiative to establish a secure passage through this strategic strait during the two-week truce agreed with the United States.

The proposal caught the interest of Donald Trump, who referred to it as a “beautiful thing.” He stated on his social network Truth Social that “the United States of America will help facilitate traffic in the Strait of Hormuz,” with “a lot of money to be made.” Calls for respect for freedom of navigation have arisen, including from the European Union. So, do Iran and the United States have the right to impose a toll on the Strait of Hormuz? Franceinfo separates fact from fiction.

In theory, freedom of navigation is guaranteed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982. This principle applies to all seas and international and territorial waters. Ships also have the right of “innocent passage,” meaning they can traverse international waters, including Iranian territorial waters in the strait, as long as they do not threaten peace or security. Iran cannot prevent or charge ships for this passage.

The strait’s natural characteristic is where the cardinal principle of maritime international law applies – freedom of circulation, as explained by Nicolas Mazzucchi. The only areas subject to tolls are artificial canals like the Suez or Panama canals.

However, Iran and the United States have not acknowledged this UN Convention. While they have signed it, they have not ratified it, so they are not legally bound to abide by it. Nevertheless, in international law, if a state signals its intent to be part of a treaty [by signing it], it should not take actions contrary to its purpose. Additionally, “freedom of navigation in international straits is generally considered a customary norm of law.”

If the toll is implemented, other states have limited recourse as neither Iran nor the United States are parties to the Law of the Sea Convention. Legal recourse is challenging without the Convention, so pressuring Iran diplomatically and economically remains a viable option.