The International Maritime Organization (IMO) stated on Monday that imposing any tolls or charges on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz would contravene international law. The statement came shortly after US President Donald Trump announced the reinstatement of a blockade on Iranian ships and a 20 percent charge on goods carried by other vessels passing through the strait.

The 40-member IMO Council, which includes the United States, emphasized that the right to free and uninterrupted passage through international straits must not be threatened, obstructed, denied, or suspended. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to maritime safety, freedom of navigation, adherence to international law, and the protection of seafarers.

Addressing the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the IMO condemned attacks on civilian commercial ships in and around the area and called for de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East. It further noted that any coastal state measures to regulate navigation in key waterways must comply with IMO regulations under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.