Iran Plans Transit Fees on Ships in Hormuz Strait
DUBAI – Iran is considering imposing transit fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a lawmaker said Thursday, signaling Tehran’s intent to monetize control over the critical waterway through which one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows.
The proposal would require countries using the strait for shipping, energy transit, and food supplies to pay tolls and taxes to Iran, according to the Iranian Students’ News Agency. Iranian parliament is currently weighing a bill that would establish such a fee structure.
The announcement follows Iran’s disruption of maritime transit since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran in late February. Tehran has already blocked passage for vessels it claims are linked to its war adversaries and their allies, effectively controlling access to the critical waterway.
Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, indicated that a broader strategy awaits the conflict’s conclusion. “By using the strategic position of the Strait of Hormuz, we can sanction the West and prevent their ships from passing through this waterway,” he said Thursday.
The potential fee regime represents a significant escalation. Beyond transit disruptions already occurring, formal toll requirements would fundamentally reshape global maritime commerce and energy trade. Countries relying on Persian Gulf oil and gas would face additional costs, potentially compounding current economic pressures from elevated energy prices.
The threat underscores Iran’s growing leverage through its geographic position. With the strait already partially blocked and global shipping rerouting around Africa at considerable extra cost and delay, any formalized fee structure could severely impact international trade and energy markets worldwide.
Global markets and governments are closely monitoring Iran’s next moves as the potential implications extend far beyond the region, affecting shipping costs, energy prices, and supply chains across the world.
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