During the Shangri-La Dialogue forum in Singapore, Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, expressed Qatar's opposition to permanent tolls for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, citing concerns over consumer impact. However, he indicated a willingness to negotiate temporary tolls, particularly if the fees are earmarked for specific uses such as mine-clearing. Al Thani emphasized that any temporary fee should not set a precedent for permanent charges that could disrupt maritime operations. Concurrently, Iranian officials have announced a new mechanism for managing vessel traffic in the Strait, which includes the imposition of fees for specialized services, applicable only to commercial vessels cooperating with Iran. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway, with around 93% of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports and 96% of the UAE's LNG exports passing through, making it crucial for global energy trade, accounting for 19% of the total LNG market.