Iran considers tolls on ships transiting Strait of Hormuz: Report

2026-03-19 - 13:30

TEHRAN — Iran is considering new legislation that would require countries to pay fees for vessels transiting the strategic Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian media reports on Thursday.The semi-official ISNA news agency said a draft bill proposes imposing tolls on ships using the vital maritime corridor, one of the world’s most critical routes for global energy supplies.A lawmaker in Tehran said the proposal aims to mandate payments and taxes to Iran for ships using the strait as a “safe passage” for shipping, energy transport, and food supply chains.Countries benefiting from maritime security in the strait “should pay fees and taxes to Iran,” the lawmaker said.The proposal comes amid escalating regional tensions following a joint US-Israeli offensive on Iran that began on Feb. 28 and has since killed around 1,300 people.In response, Iran has launched drone and missile attacks across the region and has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz — a key oil transit route that typically handles about 20 million barrels per day and roughly 20% of global liquefied natural gas trade — disrupting global energy markets.