Iran is advancing plans to formalize a system that would charge ships up to $2 million for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, according to sources connected to the shipping industry, marking a significant shift in control over one of the world’s most vital maritime routes.

Officials familiar with the proposal believe that once fully implemented, the toll structure could bring in as much as $80 billion annually, turning the strategic waterway into a major source of income as Iran continues to face economic pressure from international sanctions.

The move reflects a broader effort by Tehran to tighten its grip on the strait, a key chokepoint that previously handled about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, as detailed in a recent report.

President Donald Trump has indicated that Iran may have offered concessions in the form of limited access, describing it as a “gift” of safe passage for a select number of vessels.

However, industry insiders say the reality on the ground is far different, with access now heavily restricted, expensive, and influenced by political considerations.

Before tensions escalated between Iran, the United States, and Israel, roughly 135 ships were passing through the strait each day.

That number has since dropped sharply.

Figures cited in the report show that only 116 vessels made the journey between March 1 and March 25 — representing a dramatic 97% decline from the previous month.

As a result, thousands of ships remain stuck in the Gulf, either unable or unwilling to attempt passage without explicit authorization from Iranian authorities.

Central to the new system is a requirement that vessels be classified as “non-hostile” and coordinate directly with Iran before entering the strait.

This involves communication between governments, detailed screening of cargo and crew, and the issuance of a special authorization code that ships must transmit as they approach the waterway.

Only after completing this process — and, in certain cases, paying substantial fees — are vessels allowed to proceed.

Iranian officials have portrayed the policy as both a wartime necessity and part of a longer-term strategy.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has suggested that Tehran intends to maintain a new “order” in the strait even after hostilities end, asserting Iran’s control over the route despite its international status.

Lawmakers in Tehran have gone even further, openly referring to the development of a “new regime” governing maritime traffic.

Iranian policymakers have also drawn comparisons to historic toll systems and modern examples such as the Suez Canal.

Still, the plan raises serious legal and geopolitical questions.

Under commonly accepted interpretations of international maritime law, including principles from the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, coastal nations may regulate navigation for security purposes but are not permitted to arbitrarily block or charge for “innocent passage.”

Critics argue that Iran’s approach could violate these norms, even though both Iran and the United States have, at times, taken selective positions regarding such legal frameworks.

The United States has struggled to effectively counter Iran’s tightening control over the strait.

Despite repeated warnings and threats of military action targeting Iranian infrastructure, there has been little evidence of a sustained campaign to reopen the route.

This inability to ensure free navigation has unsettled allies and highlighted the challenges faced by U.S. forces operating in the narrow and complex geography of the region.

Shipping companies have begun adjusting to the new reality.

Some vessels are reportedly reflagging under neutral or less politically sensitive countries in hopes of improving their chances of receiving clearance.

Others are turning to informal or opaque financial channels, utilizing networks similar to those Iran has used for years to bypass sanctions on its oil exports.

Trade patterns are also shifting.

Recent shipments moving through the strait have primarily been headed toward Asian markets, especially China and India, with little traffic bound for Europe or the United States.

This shift suggests that Iran’s growing control over the passage could reshape global energy flows, benefiting some regions while limiting access for others.

Over time, analysts warn the strategy could have unintended consequences.

By turning the strait into a tightly controlled and monetized corridor, Iran may accelerate efforts by Gulf nations and global energy producers to develop alternative routes, such as pipelines that bypass the strait altogether.

The situation also raises the possibility of a prolonged conflict, including scenarios in which U.S. ground forces could be deployed to Iran’s coastal areas in an effort to secure the critical waterway.

{Matzav.com}