Iran Moves to Charge Strait of Hormuz Traffic as US, Israel Escalate Pressure
Tehran, Iran | March 31, 2026
In a move that has sent shockwaves through global energy markets and maritime corridors, the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee has officially approved a strategic “Strait of Hormuz Management Plan.”
This legislative framework, obtained through exclusive CJ monitoring, aims to formalize a toll system for all commercial vessels transiting the world’s most critical oil chokepoint.
As the US and Israel continue to escalate military and economic pressure on Tehran, the Islamic Republic is now seeking to monetize its geographic leverage, potentially charging upwards of $2 million per tanker for safe passage.
A New Era of Maritime Sovereignty
The approved plan introduces eight key provisions that redefine the legal and operational status of the Strait of Hormuz.
Central to this legislation is the introduction of mandatory transit fees to be paid in the Iranian rial.
While informal reports suggest that some vessels have already been paying “protection fees” in various currencies—including the Chinese yuan—to Iranian intermediaries, this bill seeks to institutionalize the practice under state law.
According to Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the move is a direct response to what Tehran describes as “maritime lawlessness” encouraged by Western powers.
“We have complete control over the Strait of Hormuz,” Boroujerdi stated. “Security and services for ships will henceforth be ensured through structured fees stipulated by the Majlis.”
Strategic Bans and Sanctions Reciprocity
Beyond the financial implications, the management plan includes a strict ban on all vessels linked to the United States and Israel.
Furthermore, any country participating in unilateral sanctions against Iran may face severe restrictions or outright denial of passage.
This “reciprocity clause” is designed to create a direct cost for nations aligned with the US-led “maximum pressure” campaign.
The legislation also outlines:
Enhanced Naval Vetting:
Mandatory inspections by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for all transiting hulls.
Environmental Oversight:
New levies for “potential ecological risks” posed by aging tankers in the Gulf.
Regional Cooperation:
A framework for coordination with Oman to establish a unified legal corridor, though Muscat has yet to formally endorse the toll system.
Global Market Reaction and the US Response
The announcement comes amidst an already volatile environment where Brent crude has surged past $104 per barrel.
The Strait of Hormuz carries approximately 20% of the world’s oil and gas trade, and any disruption—or significant increase in transit costs—threatens to trigger a global inflationary spiral.
In Washington, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reacted sharply, asserting that the US will ensure the “freedom of navigation” through the waterway.
The Pentagon has hinted at the possibility of expanded multinational escorts for commercial vessels, setting the stage for a potential direct confrontation. Since the beginning of March, the US-Israeli conflict with Iran has already resulted in the loss of several naval assets and multiple strikes on merchant ships, turning the Indian Ocean and the Gulf into a high-risk war zone.
CJ Exclusive Analysis: The Weaponization of Geography
The move to charge transit fees is not merely a financial endeavor; it is the ultimate weaponization of geography. By shifting the Strait from a “free transit” waterway to a “regulated service” corridor, Iran is challenging the very foundations of international maritime law.
This strategy reflects a shift from purely military deterrence to an economic siege tactic intended to force the international community to choose between supporting US sanctions or securing energy stability.
As the US and Israel maintain a naval blockade on Iranian exports, Tehran is essentially imposing its own “counter-blockade” by taxing the global trade that passes through its backyard.
For the “World Leadership Governance,” this presents a critical test: how to balance the sovereignty of coastal states with the global necessity of open seas.
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