Iran considers legislation to charge tolls for Strait of Hormuz transit
2026-03-19 - 11:09
Iran is considering legislation that would require countries to pay fees for vessels transiting the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Iranian media reported on Thursday. According to the semi-official ISNA news agency, a draft bill proposes tolls on ships using the vital maritime corridor, one of the world's most important routes for global energy supplies. Lawmaker's statement A Tehran lawmaker said the proposal seeks to mandate payments and taxes to Iran if the strait is used as a "safe passage" for shipping, energy transport, and food supply chains. He said countries benefiting from the security of maritime transit through the strait "should pay fees and taxes to Iran," framing the tolls as compensation for Iran's role in maintaining security. Conflict context The proposal comes as regional escalation has intensified since Israel and the US launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing around 1,300 people according to Iranian authorities, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and more than 150 schoolgirls. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks across the region and has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz since early March. Strategic waterway impact The Strait of Hormuz normally handles about 20 million barrels of oil per day and roughly 20% of global liquefied natural gas trade. Its effective closure has disrupted global energy markets, pushing Brent crude prices above $116 per barrel and forcing countries like Japan to tap strategic reserves. The proposed toll system would formalize Iranian control over the waterway if and when shipping resumes. Regional implications If implemented, the toll system would give Iran significant economic leverage over global energy trade and could fundamentally alter the economics of Gulf oil exports. The proposal also raises questions about how other Gulf states and international powers would respond to Iran asserting sovereign rights over the strategic waterway.