So, Iran and Oman are apparently bros now, coordinating on how to run the Strait of Hormuz. Translation: Tehran wants to charge everyone a fee to pass through. America's big mad about it, probably because they can't just waltz in and steal all the oil themselves anymore. The Omani exclave of Musandam lies to the south of the contested waterway, which normally carries a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil traffic but has been blockaded for 10 weeks since since the US-Israeli attack on Iran in February.

Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, straight-up said the Strait is basically their joint property. "The strait is located in the territorial waters of Iran and Oman. There is no international waters in between." Sounds like someone didn't take their international waters class. The US has said repeatedly there can be no permanent solution to the blockade that involves the payment of a toll to the Iran, and claims that Oman holds a similar view.

Oman's staying silent, probably enjoying the show while sipping on some tea. Meanwhile, Western diplomats are clutching their pearls, claiming this whole toll thing is "unlawful" and gives Iran too much say. Boo hoo. A requirement that every ship set up a rial account to pay for services would also probably fall foul of UN sanctions prohibiting money being sent to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

France and the UK have some rival plan about "freedom of navigation." Yeah, freedom for them to exploit everyone. Surprise, surprise. A rival plan based on the freedom of navigation being prepared by France and UK has also been put to Oman, and has the support of most Gulf states.

Iran never ratified that UNCLOS treaty, so they're playing by their own rules. Based. They figure if someone's threatening them, they can restrict passage. Seems reasonable, no? Tehran said at the outset of the conflict that the southern shore of strait including the United Arab Emirates was used by the the US to arm American bases to attack Iran.

This whole thing is basically a game of geopolitical chess, with the Strait of Hormuz as the prize. Will Iran get away with charging everyone? Will the US start another war over it? Stay tuned, folks, because this is gonna be good. Or bad. Probably bad. View image in fullscreen Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said the strait of Hormuz was an exclusively Omani-Iranian waterway.