By SCM REPORTER
31 March 2026
DESPERATE Iran has sparked fresh global fury by slapping a “passage tax” on the world’s most important oil route.
Tehran’s hardline parliament today green-lit a shock bill to charge every commercial vessel passing through the Strait of Hormuz—the narrow chokepoint that keeps the planet’s lights on.
Under the new law, which takes “immediate effect,” ships will be forced to pay transit fees in Iranian Rials to the Revolutionary Guard.
In a move that will send shockwaves through the City of London, the bill also explicitly bans all British, American, and Israeli-linked vessels from the waterway entirely.
’Ocean Piracy’
Shipping experts last night branded the move “state-sponsored piracy,” warning it could send petrol prices at UK pumps soaring to record highs.
A staggering 20% of the world’s oil flows through the 21-mile wide gap. Reports suggest some tankers are already being shaken down for as much as $2 million (£1.6m) per trip just to avoid being seized by Iranian gunboats.
The move comes as the Middle East teeters on the brink of total war following a massive joint offensive by Western allies against Tehran last month.
Background: The Chokepoint Crisis
The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most sensitive “energy artery.” Here is why this move has the world on edge:
The Geography: The Strait separates Iran from Oman and the UAE, connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. At its narrowest, the shipping lanes are only two miles wide.
The Law: Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), ships usually enjoy “transit passage”—meaning they can pass through international straits without being stopped or taxed. Iran, however, never fully ratified the treaty and claims the waters as its own.
The Economy: Roughly 20 million barrels of oil pass through the Strait every day. Even a minor delay can cause global crude prices to spike. With Iran now demanding payment in its own struggling currency, the Rial, analysts fear a total blockade of “unfriendly” nations.
The Conflict: This “toll” follows weeks of escalating violence. Since the regional conflict intensified in February, shipping traffic has reportedly plummeted by 95%, forcing ships to take the long and expensive route around Africa.
