Investigating The Claim: Iran Close To Oil For A Fee Agreement With Japan

This is a huge deal, if it’s true.

The above claim has been repeated multiple times on X, and by some news outlets I have not heard of.

I cannot find a mainstream news source.

Passage of Japan Ships in Strait of Hormuz

The Straits Times comments Iran ready to help passage of Japan ships in Strait of Hormuz, says foreign minister. The same story is on Japan Wire and Argus Media.

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has said Tehran is ready to facilitate the passage of Japanese vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy shipments, and that negotiations with Japan on the issue are ongoing.
“We have not closed the strait. It is open,” Mr Araqchi said in a telephone interview with Kyodo News on March 21.
He also stressed that Iran, which was attacked by the US and Israel on Feb 28, is seeking “not a ceasefire, but a complete, comprehensive and lasting end to the war”.
Mr Araqchi said Iran has not closed the strategic waterway but has imposed restrictions on vessels belonging to countries involved in attacks against Iran, while offering assistance to others amid heightened security concerns.
He added that Iran is prepared to ensure safe passage for countries such as Japan if they coordinate with Tehran.
Japan relies on the Middle East for more than 90 per cent of its crude oil imports, most of which travel through the strait.
The issue of navigation through the strait by Japanese vessels was discussed in his recent talks with Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Mr Araqchi said, noting that discussions are continuing, but the details cannot be disclosed.
Mr Araqchi, a former ambassador to Japan, has held phone talks with Mr Motegi twice since the war began. The top Iranian diplomat said he had discussed the passage of Japanese ships through the strait with Mr Motegi.
In Tokyo, a Foreign Ministry official said Japan will carefully assess Mr Araqchi’s remarks, adding that, even if Japanese vessels are able to sail through, the surge in energy prices will remain.
A Japanese government official said “directly negotiating with the Iranian side” is the “most effective way” to lift the blockade of the strait, while noting the need to avoid provoking the US.
Iran has rejected calls for a temporary truce, insisting that any resolution must include guarantees against future attacks, as well as compensation for the damage inflicted during the conflict.
Mr Araqchi described the war as “imposed on Iran”, saying Tehran had been engaged in negotiations with the US when the attacks began.
“This was an illegal, unprovoked act of aggression,” he said, adding that Iran’s response constitutes self-defence and will continue “for as long as it takes”.
He called on the international community, including Japan, to take a stand against the attacks, while expressing appreciation for Tokyo’s traditionally “balanced and fair” position and longstanding friendly ties with Iran.
Mr Araqchi noted that several countries are attempting to mediate an end to the conflict and said Iran is “open to any initiative” and willing to consider proposals.
At the same time, he suggested that while diplomatic efforts are ongoing, the US has yet to demonstrate its readiness for a genuine resolution. KYODO NEWS

Fact or Fiction?

That reeks of propaganda, but I see no official denials. Mainstream media has no coverage at all.

It’s a logical development for both countries. But that does not make the story true.

Lack of mainstream media reports makes me suspicious, but that does not make the story false.

Petrodollar, Petroyuan Yet Again

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A Japan-Iran deal would be very big, but yuan has little to do with it.

The importance is two-fold and major: It would kill the US role as guardian of the Strait. And the flow of money to Iran is potentially huge.

Iran Not Close to Collapse

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Trump Does Not Understand Markets

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Peace Talks?

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That’s from Axios, with an official denial. The denial is by Trump.

And Iran says it is not at all interested in talks. In this case, actions speak louder than words. I believe Iran.

China Selling Gold?

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Today is a great day for rumors. They are really flying.

Gasoline Prices

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Daniel Davis Deep Dive

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I generally agree with that assessment and so does a British defense analyst.

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Mexico Sending Oil to Cuba?

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That’s another rumor. President Sheinbaum said Mexico is ‘looking into different possibilities’ to resume fuel shipments to Cuba; she did not announce oil deliveries or that the U.S. embargo has ended.

That said. I doubt Trump would sink or capture any Mexican ships delivering oil to Cuba.

Got Helium?

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Addendum

Discussion real, details on fees exaggerated

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Grok

Iran’s FM Araghchi confirmed in Kyodo interview: Tehran ready to facilitate safe Japanese vessel passage through Hormuz post-talks with Tokyo. “Strait not closed,” details ongoing but undisclosed. Bloomberg, Japan Times, Reuters echo this exactly. No mainstream source backs specific 10% toll/$800B “oil-for-fee” with Japan—that’s viral exaggeration. Separate recent Iranian lawmaker proposals for general strait tolls exist (unlinked). Significant if expanded, but verified piece is passage aid only.