NEW YORK, August 7. /TASS/. Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz will not be subject to fees until a final agreement is reached with Iran, the Associated Press (AP) reported, citing US officials.

The Fars news agency reported earlier, citing sources in the Iranian Foreign Ministry, that the northern and southern corridors of the Strait of Hormuz will continue to operate during the initial phase in accordance with agreements between the Islamic Republic and Oman. Under the second phase of the agreement with Oman, the southern and northern routes are to cease operations, with all shipping shifting to the central corridor. The entry of vessels will be under Iranian control, while their exit will be under the joint control of Iran and Oman.

US diplomats indicated to AP that the southern and northern routes would not be subject to service fees payable to Iran and would be exempt from other encumbrances. At the same time, Washington views the agreement between Iran and Oman as temporary and insists that shipping in the Strait of Hormuz must remain free of duties and fees. The US intends to secure a comprehensive and definitive agreement that would enshrine those provisions.