Marine traffic data indicates ships are resuming passage through the Strait of Hormuz amidst claims of new transit costs. A viral post on the social media platform X recently alleged that Iranian authorities have approved passage for certain foreign vessels. These vessels reportedly include ships from the Gulf Cooperation Council and European nations.
The social media claims suggested a fee of 2 million dollars per passage, payable in Chinese yuan. The same reports claimed that Israeli and American vessels are excluded from this arrangement.
On March 22, 2026, Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi addressed the issue of maritime transit. Boroujerdi stated that Iran is currently charging some vessels approximately 2 million dollars to navigate the strait.
Boroujerdi described the measure as a new mechanism for Iran to exert control over the strategic waterway. He cited the financial burdens of regional conflict as a primary justification for the fees.
The lawmaker noted that war has costs, and therefore fees must be taken from those utilizing the passage. This statement has sparked international debate regarding the legality of such charges under international maritime law.
Several news reports have surfaced claiming that Iranian entities have already begun collecting these fees from specific commercial operators. These claims remain difficult to verify through independent shipping manifests or carrier documentation.
However, Iranian government officials have sought to distance the administration from Boroujerdi's remarks. Official statements indicate that the lawmaker was speaking in a personal capacity rather than for the state.
Authorities clarified that there is currently no official state policy regarding the collection of transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz. The discrepancy between the lawmaker's claims and official policy has created uncertainty for global shipping firms.
It is notable that Boroujerdi’s verbal statements did not explicitly mention the requirement for payment in Chinese yuan. He also did not publicly confirm the alleged ban on Israeli or American vessels mentioned in social media reports.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical chokepoints for global energy supplies. Any disruption or change in transit conditions can have significant impacts on international markets and energy security.
Analysts are closely monitoring the region for further developments or official confirmations of policy changes. The situation continues to evolve as maritime traffic resumes regular operations through the Persian Gulf.