Qatar has rejected proposals to impose permanent fees on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while leaving open the possibility of temporary charges for specific purposes such as demining operations.

Axar.az reports, citing Al-Sharq Business, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Qatari Deputy Prime Minister Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said Doha opposes any permanent tolls on one of the world’s most critical shipping routes.

“Qatar, as well as our Gulf partners, have made it very clear that imposing fees will always affect the consumer, so we oppose it,” he said.

However, he added that temporary arrangements could be considered under limited conditions. “In certain cases, such as mine clearance or for specific, time-limited purposes, it is open for discussion,” he said.

The remarks come amid reported regional discussions involving Iran and Oman on formalizing a permanent toll system for transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor.

Several Western and regional governments, including the United States, European countries, and the United Arab Emirates, have rejected the idea of introducing such fees, warning it could disrupt global energy markets and shipping flows.