Tankers urged not to pay toll to Iran for use of strait
Iran has started demanding tolls from oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global chokepoint for about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, by forcing ships into a narrow Iranian-controlled channel near Bandar Abbas. Reports indicate fees could reach millions per vessel, potentially paid in cryptocurrency, amid a collapsed ceasefire and heightened tensions following US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Tanker traffic has plummeted from around 110 ships daily to under 10.
Tanker firms, advised by groups like Intertanko (representing over half the global fleet), are urged not to pay these “Tehran toll booth” fees, as they violate international laws on free passage through international straits. Intertanko’s Phillip Belcher emphasized avoiding payments to the IRGC—designated a terrorist group by the US and EU—and called for coalition oversight to neutralize Iranian control.
President Donald Trump warned Iran against imposing such tolls, reinforcing that they undermine free navigation rights. This comes as Iran signals new regulations, including ship inspections, while the strait remains unsafe without a lasting truce.
