See post 8 below.

Apply whatever level of skepticism you apply to all AI:

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) explicitly prohibits coastal nations from charging tolls or fees simply for transiting natural international straits

Conflicts regarding the Law of the Sea are primarily resolved through the dispute settlement mechanisms mandated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Under Part XV of the Convention, nations are legally required to settle their maritime and ocean disputes through peaceful means, such as direct negotiation, mediation, or conciliation.

If those efforts fail, nations have compulsory recourse to one of four binding judicial bodies:

International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS): Based in Hamburg, Germany, this independent judicial body specializes entirely in maritime disputes, such as delimitation of boundaries and fishing rights. It notably handles cases requiring emergency, provisional measures or the "prompt release" of detained vessels and crews.

International Court of Justice (ICJ): Located in The Hague, Netherlands, the primary judicial organ of the UN can also hear and resolve disputes between nations.

Annex VII Arbitral Tribunal: Often the most common and flexible option, this process relies on a panel of five arbitrators appointed by the disputing parties. The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague acts as the registry for these proceedings.

Annex VIII Special Arbitral Tribunal: These are specialized panels composed of experts in particular fields (e.g., fisheries, marine environment, scientific research) established to resolve specific technical disputes.

When signing or ratifying UNCLOS, nations can declare which of these four forums they prefer to use. If they do not designate a preference, arbitration under Annex VII becomes the default mechanism.

The process should have already been followed as prescribed. I have heard zilch about it, so I have to assume they aren't doing a damn thing.

But it strikes me that if the U.S. - Iran agreement includes a fee of any kind, it's a serious problem.

I don't see how the U.S. could make an agreement that empowers Iran to violate the Law of the Seas on behalf of all other nations.

So, if other nations balk at the insanity, it becomes a multi-nation "dispute" that needs to be resolved among themselves (likely impossible), and failing that, would probably end up with an Annex VII Arbitral Tribunal.

Of course, the felon and the administration players pulling his strings have no respect for rule of law at any level so he and his band of lunatics probably think they can just strongarm everyone into accepting this violation. And if that is allowed to stand, nations that have natural straits will start following suit. And it will become an international trade clusterfuck.

And those nations have been waiting for the U.S. and Iran to come to some agreement -- one that would presumably bar any such fees going forward.

I suspect it will come as a shock to other nations if it turns out the U.S.-Iran MoU empowers Iran to charge fees of other nations. If that is formalized, I'm guessing that is when the shit will hit the fan.

And would guess that some of that shit is hitting the fan at the G7 right now.

Carter wins an election... Iran decides to capture American hostages..
Hostages held until Regan sworn in...
Reagan gives them weapons.

I suspect the fee for looting the American treasury is high

While the foundational concept driving trade is economic, the Law of the Sea (codified primarily in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea) provides the legal framework that makes physical international trade possible.

This cannot be allowed to stand. I suspect the G7 nations are raising hell about this.

And he is too f-ing clueless to understand.

I think he deteriorated to a point that he understands none of it. This may be the only explanation for the "deal." I cannot imagine the narcissistic psychopath knowingly entering this humiliating surrender and gargantuan loss. I think he is so out of it that J.D. and co are just "handling" him, assuring him it's a big win.

Under international law, Iran must allow uninterrupted passage. Why isn't the UN doing anything?

Anything as an excuse.