KUWAIT CITY: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday rejected the possibility of imposing any tolls or fees on vessels using international straits, saying there is no country that supports such a move and insisting that it “is not going to happen.”
“I know of no country on the planet that supports tolling or a fee for the use of the Straits. That’s not going to happen,” Rubio told reporters in Kuwait City.
SECRETARY RUBIO: “I know of no country on the planet that supports tolling or a fee for the use of the Straits. That’s not going to happen.” pic.twitter.com/3qgGShRDir
— Department of State (@StateDept) June 24, 2026
Last week, Tehran and Washington signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, laying the groundwork for the negotiations, after a 40-day war that was followed by weeks of ceasefire.
While traffic levels remain below pre-conflict averages in the Strait of Hormuz, industry observers view the latest figures as a positive indication that concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supplies are beginning to subside.
The Strait of Hormuz serves as a critical transit route for a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports. Any improvement in shipping activity through the waterway is closely monitored by global markets, as it has direct implications for energy prices, supply chains, and international trade.
US expects Iran to ‘live up to commitments’
Marco Rubio, described a 60-day sanctions waiver for Iran as “a temporary measure” while stressing that Washington expects Tehran to “live up to the commitments” made in the deal.
“If they don’t live up to those commitments, the president [Trump] has a lot of options at his disposal, including — I’m not saying he’s going to do it, I’m saying including — reversing these sanctions,” Marco Rubio said.
SECRETARY RUBIO: “We expect them to live up to the commitments they made in Switzerland.” pic.twitter.com/Ho95JzLXZw
— Department of State (@StateDept) June 24, 2026
“They made very straight-up commitments in Switzerland and the president has been very clear they need to keep those commitments,” he says.
“If they do, we’ll keep forward. If not, the president will have options at his disposal for what to do about it. Let’s hope they keep those commitments.”
“If Iran wants to make a good and real deal, the United States is open to that,” he added.
SECRETARY RUBIO: “If Iran wants to make a good and real deal, the United States is open to that.” pic.twitter.com/8hLvaQcNs8
— Department of State (@StateDept) June 24, 2026
“Our hope is that the Lebanese Armed Forces and the legitimate, sovereign Lebanese government will continue to be able to control and secure more and more of their own territory,” he said to a question.
SECRETARY RUBIO: “Our hope is that the Lebanese Armed Forces and the legitimate, sovereign Lebanese government will continue to be able to control and secure more and more of their own territory.” pic.twitter.com/WJ5B5uwQSL
— Department of State (@StateDept) June 24, 2026
He believed technical talks between the United States and Iran will resume on June 29 or 30 in Switzerland.
“The technical group will be back, I believe, on the 29th or the 30th… I believe they’re going back to Switzerland, if I’m not mistaken,” Rubio said.
Rubio discusses Iran-US deal with Emirati leader
Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the US-Iran deal with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed renewing Washington’s commitment to the country’s security as he embarks on a tour of the Gulf.
“They discussed President Trump’s memorandum of understanding with Iran, efforts to secure full and safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of peace and stability in the region,” his spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.
Rubio is currently on a three-nation Gulf tour, which began in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday. His visit marks the first trip by a senior US official to the region since Washington and Tehran reached an agreement last week aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Also Read: US Will Not Accept Tolls in Strait of Hormuz: Rubio
Meanwhile, Secretary Rubio attended a ceremonial flag-raising ceremony at the US Embassy in Kuwait on Wednesday as the diplomatic mission officially resumed operations following a temporary suspension.
The embassy halted services in March amid attacks linked to the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
The reopening of the embassy is being viewed as a sign of improving diplomatic engagement and a gradual return to normal operations in the Gulf region.
No Tolls to be charged at Strait of Hormuz: Trump
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he has been assured by Iran that no tolls will be charged from the vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as negotiations continue to secure a lasting end to the war in the Middle East.
He added that negotiations would end immediately if Iran imposed tolls on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Iran has informed the US that… there are ‘NO TOLLS, NO INSURANCE COSTS, & NO OTHER CHARGES OF ANY KIND BEING SOUGHT OR RECEIVED BY IRAN ON SHIPS TRAVELING THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ’,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, without specifying whether those assurances would remain in place after the 60-day negotiating period.
“If this is false information, negotiations would end immediately! Additionally, no money has been given to Iran, or released from their money to them, by the U.S,” he said.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 24, 2026
US, Iran agree 60-day roadmap for final deal
Mediators Pakistan and Qatar on Monday released a joint statement after the high-level US-Iran direct talks in Switzerland. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attended the talks as mediators. The Qatari Prime Minister also attended the talks as mediator.
According to a joint statement issued on Monday, the US and Iran have agreed on a 60-day roadmap towards a final agreement following the conclusion of high-level talks in Switzerland mediated by Pakistan and Qatar.
The first session of negotiations under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding concluded at the Burgenstock resort, bringing together representatives of Iran, the United States, Pakistan and Qatar.
The mediating countries described the Lake Lucerne Summit as having been conducted in a “positive and constructive atmosphere” and said “encouraging progress” had been achieved, including the establishment of a mechanism for further technical negotiations.
