Iranian lawmaker says Tehran collects transit fees from ships passing through Strait of Hormuz

An Iranian lawmaker has said that Tehran collects fees ranging from $1.5m to $2m from vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes.

Mohsen Zanganeh, a member of the Iranian parliament’s Planning and Budget Committee, said the charges apply to ships passing through the waterway, according to remarks reported by the semi-official Fars News Agency.

“The fees imposed on ships transiting the strait average between $1.5 million and $2 million per vessel.”

According to Zanganeh, payments can be made in cash, cryptocurrencies or through the provision of goods, with the value of the goods deducted from the transit charges.

Fars reported that, based on current traffic levels, the fees could generate as much as $7.5bn in annual revenue for Iran.

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The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint connecting the Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, and is used for the transport of a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports.

The comments come amid continuing tensions surrounding navigation through the strait following the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States.

According to the report, Iran has tightened control over shipping movements in the waterway after the outbreak of the conflict and subsequent disputes over maritime access and regional security arrangements.

Iranian officials have repeatedly described the strait as falling within the country’s security sphere and have emphasised Tehran’s role in managing navigation through the route.

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