The European Union has strongly opposed Iran's suggestion of imposing tolls on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that international law mandates unrestricted freedom of navigation without any payment. This stance comes as Iran and the United States announced a two-week ceasefire following over a month of hostilities, with the full reopening of the vital Gulf waterway being a critical point of discussion. European Commission spokesman Anouar El Anouni emphasized in Brussels on Thursday, April 9, 2026, that freedom of navigation is a public good that must be guaranteed. While Iran has agreed to reopen the strait during the truce, it has also proposed a toll system to fund reconstruction, a concept the U.S. has considered as a potential joint venture, though the White House insists on immediate, unrestricted access.