April 23, 2026
Iran has begun collecting transit fees from vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time, according to reports by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency citing a senior lawmaker.
A member of the Iranian parliament’s presidium board said the decision was confirmed through “reliable sources,” adding that the charges vary depending on the type of vessel, the volume of cargo, and associated risk factors. The framework for assessing and collecting these fees has been independently set by Iranian authorities.
The lawmaker further stated that revenues generated from the tolls are being deposited into the country’s consolidated government treasury.
In a separate statement, Deputy Speaker Hamidreza Haji Babaei confirmed that the first tranche of revenue from Hormuz transit fees has already been transferred to the account of Central Bank of Iran.
The move comes amid escalating regional tensions. Following joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28, Tehran tightened its control over the vital maritime chokepoint. Subsequent peace talks in Islamabad reportedly collapsed, after which Washington imposed a naval blockade targeting vessels linked to Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical shipping routes, through which a significant portion of global oil supply passes. Analysts warn that Iran’s decision to impose transit fees could further disrupt maritime trade and heighten geopolitical tensions in the region.
