Apr 09, 2026 13:55:00

Iran plans to demand that ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz pay tolls in cryptocurrency.

Since the US and Israeli

attack on Iran on February 28, 2026, the Strait of Hormuz, south of Iran, has been blockaded by Iran's military organization, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and multiple attacks on ships attempting to pass through have been reported. Now, it has been reported that Iran is planning to demand toll payments in cryptocurrency from ships trying to pass through the strait.

Iran demands crypto fees for ships passing Hormuz during ceasefire
https://www.ft.com/content/02aefac4-ea62-48db-9326-c0da373b11b8

Iran To Charge $2 Million From Ships Transiting Strait Of Hormuz Under New Ceasefire Framework
https://www.marineinsight.com/iran-to-charge-2-million-from-ships-transiting-strait-of-hormuz-under-new-ceasefire-framework/

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital shipping route from the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean and is a major transportation route for goods that account for approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply. The strait has been closed for about 40 days since the conflict began, and the resulting disruption has driven up global crude oil prices.

US President Donald Trump had demanded that Iran open the strait and threatened to attack Iran if it did not do so by the deadline. However, after several extensions, he reversed course and announced a two-week suspension of military action against Iran, on the condition that 'Iran agrees to the complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz.'

Regarding this ceasefire agreement, Iran, through Pakistan, presented a 10-point proposal. It called for an end to the war against Iran and its allies, the withdrawal of U.S. troops from regional bases, the lifting of all sanctions against Iran, the release of frozen Iranian assets, full payment of damages, and coordinated navigation control of the Strait of Hormuz with the Iranian military.

Iran plans to impose a toll on ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as part of its navigation control measures. According to Hamid Hosseini, a spokesperson for the Iranian Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Exporters Association, which works closely with the government, the toll for oil tankers will be '$1 per barrel (approximately 160 yen).' Empty tankers will be allowed to pass through freely.

Hosseini stated, 'During the two-week ceasefire, we need to monitor the movement of goods in and out of the Strait of Hormuz to ensure they are not used for weapons transport. Tankers passing through must report their cargo to the authorities via email, after which Iran will demand a toll in cryptocurrency.'

Collecting fees in cryptocurrency has the advantage of preventing it from being tracked or confiscated due to sanctions.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea guarantees that ships have the right to freely pass through international straits like the Strait of Hormuz under certain conditions, but Iran has not ratified the convention. Regarding this, Julien Reynaud, president of the French Society for the Law of the Sea, pointed out, 'Just because Iran has not ratified the convention does not mean that it has complete freedom of action in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran will be subject to international law, particularly this customary right of navigation.'