Iran’s parliament has approved legislation allowing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to impose tolls on vessels passing through a designated “safe corridor” in the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant escalation in the country’s control over one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.
The measure, part of a broader “Strait of Hormuz Management Plan,” formalizes an arrangement that had already begun to take shape during recent regional tensions. Under the plan, ships seeking safe passage through Iranian-controlled waters would be required to pay fees, reportedly in Iran’s national currency, the rial.
The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly a fifth of global oil shipments. The toll system effectively turns the waterway into what some have described as a “toll booth,” giving Tehran unprecedented leverage over global energy flows.
The legislation also includes controversial provisions that could bar vessels linked to the United States, Israel, and countries enforcing sanctions on Iran from transiting the strait altogether. Such restrictions are likely to intensify already heightened geopolitical tensions in the region.
Shipping volumes through the strait have dropped sharply in recent weeks due to security concerns, attacks on vessels, and uncertainty over safe passage.
In response, Iran has established controlled corridors monitored by the IRGC, allowing only approved ships to pass, often under strict conditions.
There are also reports that some vessels have already paid substantial sums - in millions of dollars - to transit safely, underscoring the economic stakes involved. Meanwhile, global energy markets have reacted nervously, with oil prices rising amid fears of prolonged disruption.
Critics argue that imposing tolls in an international waterway violates international maritime norms and further destabilizes global trade. Gulf energy officials have previously described any attempt to restrict access to the strait as “economic terrorism,” highlighting the broader economic risks.
The legislation still requires final approval steps within Iran’s political system, but its passage in parliament signals a clear intent by Tehran to consolidate control over the strait.
As tensions continue to simmer, the new toll regime could reshape not only regional security dynamics but also the global energy landscape.
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