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TEHRAN / MUSCAT — In a move that effectively reclassifies the Strait of Hormuz from an international waterway into a high-priced toll zone, Iranian officials confirmed on Thursday, March 26, 2026, that the military will continue to levy transit fees on commercial vessels. Despite early denials from some diplomatic branches, the “Hormuz Toll” has moved from a legislative proposal to an active, albeit selective, operational reality.
The policy, framed by Tehran as a “sovereign right” to cover the costs of the 26-day war, has already targeted several tankers with demands for up to $2 million per voyage.
The “Boroujerdi Doctrine”: Monetizing the Blockade
The push for these fees was brought to the forefront by Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a senior member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security Committee. His statements have laid out the logic for what he calls a “new concept of sovereignty.”
- “War Has Costs”: Boroujerdi stated on state television that because the conflict was “imposed” on Iran, it is only natural to collect transit fees. “Collecting $2 million… reflects Iran’s strength,” he argued.
- Selective Enforcement: The fees are being sought on an ad-hoc basis. While vessels from “hostile” nations remain totally blocked, tankers from “neutral” or “friendly” nations—including those from India, China, and Pakistan—are reportedly being asked to pay for “guaranteed safe passage.”
- The “Spanish Exception”: Following Spain’s declaration that the war is “illegal,” Tehran has notably granted Spanish vessels free passage, exempting them from the $2 million fee as a diplomatic reward.
International Backlash and Legal Challenges
The imposition of fees has triggered a wave of condemnation from global maritime bodies and major energy importers.
| Entity | Official Stance |
| United Nations | Secretary-General Guterres warned the move “breaches international obligations” under UNCLOS Article 38 regarding transit passage. |
| India | New Delhi officially stated that “no party has the right to impose fees,” though it has reportedly engaged in direct talks to move stranded LPG carriers. |
| United States | President Trump labeled the fees “maritime piracy” and used them as further justification for the Friday morning deadline to hit Iran’s power grid. |
| Arab Gulf States | Producers in the UAE and Kuwait view the fees as “unacceptable” and an infringement on regional sovereignty. |
The “Chokepoint” Economy (March 26, 2026)
The “toll booth” strategy is creating a massive backlog of shipping as companies weigh the cost of the $2 million fee against the risk of remaining stranded or taking the long route around Africa.
- Insurance Spikes: Maritime insurers have warned that paying the fee may not even guarantee safety, as U.S. and Israeli “interdiction operations” continue in the same waters.
- The $4 Million Round-Trip: Analysts at Argus Media noted that for a tanker to enter the Gulf, load, and exit, the total “toll” could reach $4 million, a cost that is being passed directly to consumers at the pump.
What’s Next?
As the Friday, March 27 deadline approaches, the “Hormuz Toll” has become a central point of friction in the Islamabad Summit. Iran is reportedly demanding the “right to levy fees” be included in any final peace settlement, a condition the U.S. has so far called a “non-starter.” If the “total infrastructure phase” begins tomorrow, the Iranian Navy is expected to move from collecting fees to a “total and uncompensated” shutdown of the Strait.
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