Rubio called Iran's charging fees for the passage of ships through Hormuz unacceptable.

The American administration opposes Iran's charges for the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. This was stated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a meeting of the foreign ministers of NATO member countries on May 22.

"We have always said that the toll collection system in the strait is unacceptable. But it's not us who are saying this, but the whole world. This would make a diplomatic agreement impossible. Therefore, the attempt to do this poses a threat to the whole world, and it is completely illegal," he said, the speech was broadcast on the Associated Press YouTube channel.

Rubio added that if we allow a similar precedent in the Strait of Hormuz, then other countries may think, "why don't we do this?" The Secretary of State also added that Tehran is trying to persuade Oman to join this initiative. He once again stressed that Washington considers these measures illegal and unacceptable.

How to sail: US actions in the Strait of Hormuz undermine the peace process

By launching Operation Project Freedom, the US administration is trying to raise the stakes

The Politico newspaper reported on April 8 that oil company executives had contacted the White House to criticize the possible prospect that Iran would start receiving payments from ships for passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Later, on April 9, US President Donald Trump said that Iran was allegedly unsatisfactorily and unfairly fulfilling its obligations to ensure the free transit of ships through Hormuz. The American leader said that Iran should immediately stop charging fees from ships passing through the strait.