In just six weeks, Iran has transformed the Strait of Hormuz from a contested waterway into a regulated toll system under its unilateral control, according to a Reuters investigation based on interviews with over 20 shipping sources, Iranian officials, and government insiders.
A newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority now vets every vessel attempting to cross the strategic chokepoint, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) running affiliation checks, demanding cargo manifests and crew lists, and reportedly charging some ships upwards of $150,000 for safe passage.
The system operates with a clear hierarchy: Russia and China receive preferential treatment, followed by allies such as India and Pakistan, then case-by-case bilateral deals for other nations. Ships linked to the United States or Israel are banned outright.
The numbers tell a stark story. Before the conflict, 120 to 140 ships passed through Hormuz daily, carrying approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply. Between mid-April and early May, fewer than 60 vessels made it through in 18 days. Roughly 1,500 ships and 22,500 sailors are currently trapped in the Persian Gulf, awaiting Tehran's permission to leave.
To understand today's headlines, we must look at yesterday's decisions. The Iranian blockade follows months of escalating tensions with the United States and Israel, culminating in military strikes against Iranian territory that Tehran characterized as illegal acts of aggression.
Despite American sanctions warnings, countries are negotiating directly with Iran to secure passage for their vessels. India, Iraq, South Korea, and have all opened prime ministerial-level talks with Iranian authorities.
