Iran has imposed a “de facto toll booth regime” in the Strait of Hormuz, with its parliament now planning to formally implement a system for charging ships transiting the critical maritime route, analysts say. The strait is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, through which a fifth of the global oil supply typically passes.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has already begun ordering ships to submit full documentation, obtain clearance codes, and accept escorted passage through a controlled corridor, according to Lloyd’s List. Iran’s parliament is pursuing legislation to “formally codify Iran’s sovereignty, control and oversight over the Strait of Hormuz, while also creating a source of revenue through the collection of fees,” said lawmaker Mohammadreza Rezaei Kouchi, who described the arrangement as “entirely natural”.
Since 13 March, 26 vessel transits have followed the IRGC-controlled route, with no transits via the normal route since 15 March, according to Lloyd’s List. Analysts say desperate shipping companies are willing to pay millions of dollars per tanker to pass through the strait, given the extent to which the US-Israeli war on Iran has inflated oil prices. Isaac Levi of CREA said at least one tanker paid $2m to transit via the northern edge of the strait closest to Iran, noting that a single tanker’s cargo might have appreciated by $30-40m since the crisis began.
On Tuesday, only four ships were seen crossing the strait, with standard commercial shipping lanes empty, according to maritime intelligence firm Windward. By Wednesday, the number rose to five, amid signs that Iran is formalising a selective-access system. Ships engaging the system must contact intermediaries with IRGC connections, submitting identification, ownership, cargo manifest, destination, and crew list for sanctions screening and geopolitical vetting. If cleared, the IRGC provides a clearance code and escorts the vessel through Iranian territorial waters.
At least two vessels paid a direct toll, with payments settled in yuan, Lloyd’s List said. Others appeared to transit after diplomatic intervention. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that Iran had permitted “friendly nations” like Pakistan, India, Iraq, China and Russia to use the strait. Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said on Friday that Iran was “hold[ing] the global economy hostage” as she met counterparts including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the situation.
