Iran Charges Ships $2 Million to Cross Hormuz
Iran has decided to charge some vessels $2 million, to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as it seeks to leverage its control over the strategic global shipping choke point amid its ongoing war with the United States and Israel, NDTV reported.The transit fee has already been implemented, marking a new approach to controlling the critical waterway, Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi told state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), according to an Iran International report cited by NDTV. Boroujerdi is a member of Iran's parliament and sits on its national security committee.According to Boroujerdi, the move reflects the establishment of what he described as a new "sovereign regime" in the Strait of Hormuz after decades."Collecting $2 million as transit fees from some vessels crossing the strait reflects Iran's strength," Boroujerdi said.He added that the decision was driven by the costs of war. "Now, because war has costs, naturally we must do this and take transit fees from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz," he said, claiming the move demonstrates the Islamic Republic's "authority".Boroujerdi's remarks came after US President Donald Trump warned last week that the United States could target Iran's power infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened within 48 hours. Trump said that if Iran did not open the strait, the US would destroy its "various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!"Referring to Trump's threat, the Iranian lawmaker said Israel's energy infrastructure would be within Iran's reach and could be destroyed "within a day".Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian also responded to Trump, stating that the strait was "open to everyone" except Iran's adversaries, as he outlined Tehran's policy in a post on X."The illusion of erasing Iran from the map shows desperation against the will of a history-making nation. Threats and terror only strengthen our unity. The Strait of Hormuz is open to all except those who violate our soil. We firmly confront delirious threats on the battlefield," he wrote.Following Trump's warning, Iran said the Strait of Hormuz, which is crucial for oil and other exports, would be "completely closed" immediately if the United States followed through on threats to attack Iran's power plants.Tehran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the rest of the world, while claiming to allow safe passage for vessels from countries other than its enemies. Roughly one-fifth of the global oil supply passes through the strait, but attacks on ships have brought nearly all tanker traffic to a halt.
