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The United States is reportedly leveraging a significant financial incentive to dissuve Iran from imposing tolls on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports, Washington has offered to unfreeze some of the $100 billion in Iranian funds held overseas.

This offer comes as Iran, in coordination with Oman, insists on managing the strategic waterway and implementing a service fee for passage. Tehran estimates this could generate $40 billion annually for the involved nations. However, the US views this approach as a "gangster tactic" and argues that a broader deal involving the lifting of all sanctions would be vastly more lucrative for Iran, potentially yielding returns "100 times more valuable."

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Think bigger.

Indirect talks, facilitated by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Doha, have focused on conveying this message to Iranian officials. While initial progress was reported towards the release of $6 billion held in Qatar, Iran's actions regarding the strait reportedly set back these discussions.

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The sums Iran could generate from developing and selling oil and other resources freely, if the US lifted all sanctions under a deal, “would be 100 times more valuable to them than using a gangster tactic to try and charge a toll.”

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has asserted Iran's command over the Strait of Hormuz, stating it falls under Iran's authority, not CENTCOM. The Iranian military has also warned of forceful responses against ships attempting unauthorized passage.

Meanwhile, US and Iranian negotiators are actively exploring an Omani proposal that suggests a voluntary maritime fund, where shipping companies would pay service fees rather than a mandatory toll, as a potential compromise.

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Hormuz is defined under Iran’s command, not CENTCOM.