IRAN MAY BE VETTING SHIPS TO PASS THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ FOR $2 MILLON

Reports from maritime industry publications and social media aggregators indicate that Iran has begun formalizing a selective passage system in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is reportedly managing a safe corridor for vessels that undergo a rigorous vetting process.

According to reporting from Lloyd’s List, the IRGC diverts approved ships through Iranian territorial waters near Larak Island.

Vetting involves the submission of cargo and ownership details via intermediaries, followed by visual and radio verification.

While most approved transits appear to be facilitated through diplomatic or strategic channels, at least one tanker operator reportedly paid approximately $2 million for transit approval.

The payment method remains unconfirmed, though experts suggest cash or cryptocurrency may be used to bypass international sanctions.

This development follows weeks of significant disruption in the waterway, which handles approximately 20 percent of the world’s daily oil supply.

Shipping traffic had previously dropped by over 95 percent at the peak of recent regional tensions.

Iranian officials state the waterway remains open to non-hostile entities but is restricted for nations deemed adversaries.

Concurrently, the Iranian parliament is reportedly drafting legislation to formalize tolls and security taxes for ships carrying energy or food.

The backlog of vessels waiting to transit the chokepoint is estimated to be between 2,500 and 3,200 ships.

This congestion affects approximately 40,000 sailors and has contributed to global oil prices rising above $100 per barrel.

Major shipping companies, including Maersk and MSC, continue to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the area.

This detour adds roughly 10 to 15 days to transit times and increases operational costs by millions of dollars per voyage.

The emergence of this selective transit system highlights the increasing complexity of maritime navigation in the Gulf.

Observers note that the formalization of these fees could signal a long-term shift in how Iran manages one of the world's most critical energy corridors.