TEHRAN - On paper, June 14 -- Iran agrees to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and ships pass through for free. A senior United States administration official told Fox News on Saturday that the emerging memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran would require Iran to open the strategic waterway with no tolls, in exchange for the United States lifting its naval blockade of Iranian ports. What the headline leaves out is what Iran's foreign minister said on the same day the deal was expected to be signed.

Abbas Araghchi, speaking to state media, confirmed that vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz will be charged fees for services rendered. International law, he explained, does not permit transit tolls on straits used for intern...