As Iran continues to exert de facto control over the Strait of Hormuz, vessels transiting the strait are facing an increasingly structured "toll system" led by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Ships seeking safe passage must first be designated by Iran as belonging to "friendly nations," then submit information such as shipowner details, flag state, cargo manifests, destination, crew lists, and AIS tracking data through intermediaries linked to the IRGC for background screening. After approval, ship operators must negotiate fees. For tankers, the initial fee is typically around $1 per barrel of crude oil, payable in Chinese yuan or stablecoins pegged to hard currencies. Iran also categorizes vessel origin countries into five tiers based on the closeness of bilateral relations, with friendlier nations more likely to receive favorable treatment. The report reveals that this mechanism is no longer a temporary arrangement but is gradually being institutionalized—Iran’s National Security Council has already approved legislation regarding tolls at the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Pakistan had previously coordinated a special transit scheme aiming to temporarily reflag large oil tankers stranded in the Gulf under Pakistani registry so they could receive escort from Iran’s navy through the strait. According to informed sources, Iran agreed to allow 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels to pass, but due to limited numbers of ships registered in Pakistan, Islamabad turned to major commodity traders, seeking large vessels available for temporary reflagging—including ultra-large crude carriers capable of carrying up to 2 million barrels of oil. This illustrates how Iran is transforming its military dominance over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy chokepoint, into a direct instrument of screening, charging, and political leverage over international shipping.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861331500035082/
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