Iran Collects First Toll Revenue From Strait of Hormuz as Maritime Tensions Escalate

Iran has confirmed the receipt of its first revenue from newly imposed tolls on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor now caught in rising geopolitical tensions involving the United States and Israel.

Deputy speaker of parliament Hamidreza Hajibabaei said: “The first revenue received from the Strait of Hormuz tolls was deposited into the Central Bank account,” according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

The announcement comes amid heightened instability in the strategic waterway, which handles roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas flows under normal conditions.

Since the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East on February 28, Iran has reportedly restricted maritime movement through the strait, permitting only limited passage and signalling a shift in control over one of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

Iranian lawmakers had previously debated imposing tolls on vessels, with officials warning that traffic through the corridor would “not return to its pre-war status.” State media earlier reported parliamentary approval in principle for the measure, though a final vote remained unclear.

The development has drawn international concern. US President Donald Trump has called for the reopening of the strait, while Britain, France, and military planners from over 30 countries have held coordination talks to safeguard navigation.

France and the UK have indicated readiness to lead a multinational maritime protection mission “as soon as conditions allow,” reflecting growing fears over disruption to global energy supplies.

Iran’s move to monetize passage through the strait marks a significant escalation in the economic dimensions of the conflict, with potential implications for global oil markets and shipping security.

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