According to reports, the Iranian regime is charging some tankers $2 million to sail through the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to increase its control over the global shipping problem.
Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi told state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) on Sunday that the massive toll marks the start of a new approach to controlling the waterway. Iran International reported.
“Collecting $2 million as transit fees from some ships crossing the strait reflects Iran’s strength,” Boroujerdi said during a television program quoted by Iranian media.
The member of parliament’s national security committee also said the measure has already been implemented and reflects what he called a new “sovereign regime” in the strait after decades, the newspaper said.
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Iran is reportedly charging some tankers $2 million to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. (Getty Images/Getty Images)
“Because war has costs, we obviously have to do this and collect transit fees from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
Boroujerdi’s comments came after President Donald Trump warned on Saturday that the United States could target Iran’s energy infrastructure if the strait is not reopened within 48 hours.
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President Donald Trump warned on Saturday that the US could attack Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. (Getty Images)
“If Iran does not FULLY OPEN the Strait of Hormuz, WITHOUT THREAT, within 48 hours from this exact time, the United States of America will strike and destroy its various power plants, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST FIRST!” Trump said in a post shared on Truth Social.
The strait is “open to all” except Iran’s opponents, Tehran’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization Ali Mousavi also told the Mehr News Agency on Sunday, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also outlined Iran’s policy towards X.
“The Strait of Hormuz is open to all except those who violate our territory,” he said.
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According to Lloyd’s ListIran has established a de facto ‘safe’ shipping passage in the Strait of Hormuz, offering vetted tankers passage in exchange for approval – and in “at least one case, a reported payment of $2 million,” the report said.
Several governments including China, India, Pakistan, Malaysia and Iraq are in talks with Tehran over ship transit, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards are setting up a new system to register “approved” ships for safe passage, the newspaper reported.
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Maritime intelligence agency Windward AI has reported that traffic in the Strait of Hormuz “nearly collapsed”. (Stringer/File Photo/File Photo/Reuters)
Maritime Intelligence Agency Windward AI reported Sunday that traffic in the Strait of Hormuz “nearly collapsed,” with only “16 AIS-visible crossings recorded in the past seven days.”
Transit is increasingly tightly controlled, with ships being diverted through Iran’s territorial waters, the company said, noting that energy exports from the Gulf continue to decline, with oil and LPG flows recently remaining low.
“Iranian exports remain active, supported by alternative routes and continued waterborne volumes,” Windward said.
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The strait normally handles about 20 million barrels of oil per day and about 20% of the world’s liquefied natural gas trade. The shutdown has raised transportation and insurance costs, fueled oil prices and raised global economic concerns.
Russian crude oil volumes remain high, reinforcing continued dependence on maritime energy transport, Windward said.
