Srinagar, Apr 9 — Iran plans to levy a $1-per-barrel toll on oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, even as it tightens control over the crucial shipping lane amid ongoing regional tensions, according to a report.
The move comes alongside fresh restrictions on traffic through the strait, which carries nearly a fifth of the world’s oil, following Iran’s response to Israeli strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Hamid Hosseini, spokesperson for Iran’s Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union, said Tehran intends to monitor all vessels entering and exiting the passage and impose fees on oil cargo.
“Iran needs to monitor what goes in and out of the strait to ensure these two weeks aren't used for transferring weapons,” Hosseini was quoted as saying. He added that “every ship can pass, but the procedure will take time,” noting Iran “is not in a rush.”
Under the proposed mechanism, shipping companies would be required to declare cargo details in advance, after which Iranian authorities would assess the vessel and demand payment—reportedly in cryptocurrency—to allow passage.
“Once the assessment is complete, vessels are given a few seconds to pay in bitcoin, ensuring transactions can’t be traced or confiscated due to sanctions,” Hosseini said, adding that empty ships would be exempt from the toll.
The developments follow Iran’s renewed closure of the strait earlier this week, before a temporary reopening under a two-week truce with the United States. In a statement, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps warned vessels to avoid unauthorized transit, citing risks from sea mines and military activity.
“All ships intending to transit…should take alternative routes,” the statement said, cautioning of potential strikes against those failing to comply.
Shipping firms are now awaiting clarity on the new rules. Maersk said it was “working with urgency” to understand Iran’s terms but would maintain a “cautious approach” to cargo movement.
Industry estimates suggest between 300 and 400 vessels are currently waiting in the Gulf region to exit safely. Maritime analysts say the backlog could take weeks to clear, with only 10–15 ships likely to pass daily under the stricter regime, compared to about 135 per day before the conflict.
Decisions on transit conditions are being overseen by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, as uncertainty continues to disrupt one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.