Iran Disrupts Global Trade by Forcing Shipping Tolls in the Strait of Hormuz
Tehran, Friday, 27 March 2026.
Threatening global energy markets, Iran now forces commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz to undergo strict Revolutionary Guard vetting and pay tolls for safe passage.
The Mechanics of the New Maritime Chokehold
Since normal route transits effectively ceased on March 15, 2026, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has mandated that vessels detour into Iranian territorial waters for comprehensive vetting [3][4]. Shipping entities must now submit granular details—including cargo, ownership, destination, and crew lists—to IRGC-approved intermediaries [3][7]. Once cleared through the Hormozgan Provincial Command, ships receive a designated code and an IRGC naval escort through a controlled corridor near Larak Island [3]. As of March 13