【Iran Allows Only 4 Ships to Pass on Wednesday, Lowest Level Since Early April】

A report from The Wall Street Journal: Iran has informed mediators that under the ceasefire framework facilitated by Trump, it will limit the number of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz to approximately 10 per day and impose toll fees.

Arab mediators revealed, "Ships permitted to pass must coordinate their movements with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps."

Data from S&P Global Market Intelligence shows that only four vessels were allowed to pass on Wednesday—the lowest level since early April; pre-war daily passage exceeded 100 ships.

Mediators and shipping brokers say Iran requires vessels to pre-negotiate payment terms, with fees to be paid in cryptocurrencies or Chinese yuan.

Iran’s demands indicate it is leveraging this conflict to gain new geopolitical leverage and potentially open a new revenue stream. During the fighting, Tehran effectively controlled the strait, attacking vessels that passed without permission. The two-week ceasefire agreed upon by the U.S. and Iran on Tuesday is solidifying this pattern.

The U.S. publicly calls for free and open passage through the strait, but Iran shows no intention of easing its control.

A recording provided to The Wall Street Journal by a crew member shows that on Wednesday morning, Iranian forces warned via VHF radio in the strait waters: "Vessels not authorized by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy face risk of destruction."

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi stated that during the two-week ceasefire, maritime traffic through the strait will be managed by Iran’s armed forces.

His statement on social media was shared by Trump and the White House.

The Trump administration’s tacit approval of these conditions may allow Iran to firmly control about 20% of global oil supply—roughly 20 million barrels per day.

Just six weeks ago, ships could freely pass through the strait without coordination with Iranian military forces.

The new rules have shifted the balance of power in the Persian Gulf, expanding Iran’s global influence despite losses sustained during five weeks of conflict.

Shipping companies say Iran has established a fee system with recent tiered policies:

- Ships transporting Iranian oil or goods: Free passage

- Vessels from friendly nations: Fixed fee payment

- Vessels from nations supporting the U.S. and Israel: Prohibited from passing

Market operators say fee levels are set weekly based on vessel size: A supertanker capable of carrying around 2 million barrels of oil could incur fees as high as $2 million.

Iran’s state news agency reported that Iran’s parliament has approved a new strait management plan, including toll collection and mandatory transit permits.

Gulf Arab state representatives emphasized that Iran’s actions violate international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which guarantees freedom of navigation.

Such toll systems lack legal basis. Unlike Egypt and Panama charging for canal passage, international law does not permit states to charge transit fees for natural waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz, the English Channel, the Strait of Gibraltar, or the Strait of Malacca.

Erik Mäijer, Chief Strategist for Emerging Markets at Nordic Bank in Sweden, commented: "This economic disaster was foreseeable and widely warned about, yet Trump still went ahead. There’s a paradox here: the U.S. has complete air superiority, yet it cannot control the Strait of Hormuz."

Strait blockades have already driven up global food prices and overall inflation.

This route is also a critical transport corridor for key commodities such as fertilizers and helium used in semiconductor manufacturing.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861948688077900/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.