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Iran's Revolutionary Guard enforces selective toll on Strait of Hormuz

Tehran is limiting and vetting ship traffic through a single corridor in the Strait of Hormuz via Larak and Hormuz, sharply cutting shipments, creating legal disputes and raising questions over whether payments or negotiations underlie the new control regime.

Apr 6th 2026 · Iran

Insights

  • The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is restricting passage through the Strait of Hormuz and effectively enforcing a selective toll on ships.
  • Since February 28 transit through the strait has fallen about 90% and roughly 2,000 vessels are reported trapped in the Arabian Sea.
  • Tehran allows its own and vessels it deems non-hostile to pass via a corridor between the islands of Larak and Hormuz while blocking ships from countries it considers hostile.
  • Operators are reportedly required to submit vessel identity, ownership, cargo manifest, destination and crew lists via intermediaries who pass the information to IRGC naval commanders for approval and escort.
  • It is unclear whether the arrangement involves direct payments, with some states denying fees and maritime companies reportedly seeking security firms to negotiate.
  • The International Maritime Organization says the strait remains open to non-hostile traffic but has not confirmed any official tolling system.
  • Maritime legal experts say imposing a toll would violate the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and freedom of navigation in international straits.

Sources