Iran To Collect Toll For Vessels Passing Through Strait Of Hormuz; Will Use THIS Method

Tehran: The month-long conflict between Iran and the US in the Middle East saw a slight easing of tensions starting Wednesday. Following mediation by Pakistan, Iran and the US have reached an agreement on a two-week ceasefire. This will allow oil tankers to resume passage through the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iran has attached a condition to this arrangement: the collection of tolls.

What is Iran's position on Strait of Hormuz?

According to reports, Iran intends to demand that shipping companies pay these tolls for oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz using cryptocurrency. Tehran has already devised a comprehensive plan for the collection of these tolls; rather than accepting cash, it will require payment in cryptocurrency.

Hamid Hosseini, spokesperson for Iran's Union of Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Product Exporters, told the media on Wednesday that Iran intends to levy a toll fee on any tanker passing through the strait and wishes to inspect every vessel.

He further stated, "Iran needs to monitor exactly what is entering and exiting the Strait of Hormuz to ensure that this two-week window is not exploited for the illicit trafficking of weapons. While anything may pass through here, the inspection process will take time for every individual vessel—and Iran is in no hurry."

Decisions regarding the conditions for passage through the Strait of Hormuz are made by Iran's Supreme National Security Council. Hosseini's remarks suggest that Iran will require any tanker to utilize the northern route—which runs close to the Iranian coastline—raising questions as to whether vessels linked to Western or Gulf nations will be willing to undertake such a potentially risky journey. Hosseini explained that every tanker will be required to email details regarding its cargo to the authorities, whereupon Iran will inform them of the specific toll amount to be paid in digital currency.

He noted that the fee is set at one dollar per barrel of oil, adding that empty tankers would be permitted to pass through without any restrictions. He stated that as soon as the email arrives and Iran completes its verification process, the vessels will be given a window of just a few seconds to make payments in Bitcoin, thereby ensuring that they cannot be tracked or seized due to sanctions.

Has Strait of Hormuz reopened?

Following the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz under a ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States, two vessels transited the strait on Wednesday. The maritime tracking firm MarineTraffic reported that the Greek-owned bulk carrier *NJ Earth* passed through the waterway in the afternoon, while the Liberian-flagged *Daytona Beach* had done so earlier in the day. Both Iran and the U.S. have agreed to facilitate the movement of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, thereby paving the way for the safe exit of over 800 ships currently stranded in the Persian Gulf.

Citing security concerns, the major Danish shipping company Maersk stated that it would adopt a cautious approach regarding transit through the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement, the company noted that it is not currently making any changes to its services, and any future decisions will be based on continuous monitoring of the security situation and guidance from relevant authorities.