▲ Strait of Hormuz
The Trump administration is considering a plan to provide a paid "VIP pass" service, which would involve U.S. Navy escorts for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by the U.S. political news outlet Politico.
This comes as the resumption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains sluggish, despite an agreement between the United States and Iran to cease hostilities.
Politico reported that current discussions are focused on persuading insurance companies to resume providing coverage for vessels intending to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
An anonymous official explained that they are looking for ways to encourage insurers to offer coverage again, noting that "with few limited exceptions, all transit is a violation of insurance policies."
Another official described the discussions, stating, "There is some talk about paying the U.S. for expedited escorted transit," adding that it is "similar to putting a VIP pass on a ship."
A former U.S. administration official explained that the discussion regarding the U.S. charging transit fees to oil tankers is a negotiating tactic timed with the G7 summit currently being held in France, intended to pressure Europe to become more involved in the region.
An energy industry executive also mentioned that a proposal has been made to utilize the Defense Production Act (DPA) to mandate that U.S.-based insurance companies provide coverage for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The officials who spoke to Politico emphasized that none of the ideas currently under discussion have been finalized.
According to Kpler, a commodity trading data provider, nearly 500 ships are currently stationed in the Persian Gulf.
Of those, 220 are oil tankers.
Hostilities have largely ceased after both sides agreed to a plan to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to end the conflict in the early hours of June 15 (Iran time), which was the night of June 14 (U.S. Eastern Time).
However, shipowners remain anxious, leading to few instances of vessels pushing through the Strait of Hormuz.
In March, the Trump administration began offering $20 billion in "political insurance" to shipowners who might attempt to transit the Strait of Hormuz, but very few shipowners have taken up the offer.
President Trump had previously mentioned a similar plan to offer paid escort services to ships on April 6, just before the ceasefire.
While discussing the idea of the U.S., rather than Iran, collecting transit fees from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, he asked, "How about we charge a toll?" and added, "Why not? We are the winners. We won."
On June 14, while announcing the agreement to sign an MOU with Iran, President Trump stated, "I hereby fully authorize the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and at the same time, I authorize the immediate lifting of the U.S. Navy blockade."
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.