Iran Runs 'De Facto Toll Booth' in Strait of Hormuz, Works on Bill for Ship Fees Iran's parliament is advancing a plan to formalize its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway in the Persian Gulf, while also establishing a revenue stream through fees charged to ships passing through the strait. Local media, citing lawmakers affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guard, reported that the legislative body is drafting legislation to codify Iran's sovereignty and oversight over the region. Lawmaker Mohammadreza Rezaei Kouchi stated that the move is "entirely natural," comparing it to transit fees paid by goods moving through other corridors. He emphasized that Iran provides security for the strait and that ships and oil tankers should compensate for this service. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, is traditionally considered an international waterway open to all vessels. However, Iran has been effectively operating as a "de facto toll booth," imposing fees on some ships and controlling which vessels are allowed to transit. A report by Lloyd's List Intelligence detailed Iran's practices, noting that ships must submit manifests, crew details, and destination information to the Revolutionary Guard's "Hormozgan Provincial Command." This process includes sanctions screening, cargo checks prioritizing oil, and geopolitical vetting. While not all ships pay directly, at least two vessels have settled fees in yuan, China's currency, according to the report. Such measures could conflict with U.S. and European sanctions targeting the Revolutionary Guard, a key Iranian military force with control over ballistic missiles and a role in suppressing domestic protests.#iran #israel #china #strait_of_hormuz #revolutionary_guard
