An Iranian Revolutionary Guard speedboat circles an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.Image: AP
Even after the ceasefire agreement, Iran still controls the Strait of Hormuz. The regime has developed a way to collect tolls.
April 10, 2026, 5:56 p.mApril 10, 2026, 5:56 p.m
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have set up a toll checkpoint in the Strait of Hormuz. As “Wirtschaftswoche” reports, new satellite images show how this control is practically enforced on site.
Accordingly, the procedure begins directly in the strait. Speedboats patrol the international part of the passage and apparently prevent freighters and tankers from continuing without clearance. The Strait of Hormuz is only 34 kilometers wide between Iran and Oman. It is therefore practically impossible for large ships to pass unnoticed.
This is apparently followed by the inspection of individual ships. Other speedboats intercept freighters and presumably compare the information about the cargo, route and ship with the information transmitted in advance. The passage is not only regulated administratively, but is also monitored directly on the water.
Trump insists on free passage
A key step is prior approval. According to the report, shipping companies must submit an official application in Iran before transit and provide, among other things, information on ownership, management, financing, insurance, trading history and charter contracts. Only then will a provisional release be granted.
This system also includes the fee itself. The amount of the toll should depend on the type of ship, cargo and other factors. According to the report, up to $2 million can be charged per transit. Payment should be made in Chinese yuan or in cryptocurrency.
Ships with permission are then guided along a fixed route between the islands of Larak and Qeshm and are sometimes accompanied by speedboats. Further controls are possible along this passage; In individual cases, inspections on board should also be ordered. The toll control does not end at one point, but extends over several stages of the passage.
At the same time, the political situation remains tense. Although the USA and Iran have agreed on a ceasefire, it is considered fragile. US President Donald Trump recently expressed clear dissatisfaction with the fact that, despite the agreement, hardly any more ships use the passage. “This is not the agreement we have,” he wrote. While Tehran apparently sees the fees as part of future agreements, Western states continue to insist on free passage.
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