Iran Imposes Strict Control Over Strait of Hormuz, Charges Ships Millions for Safe Passage

Iran has implemented strict regulations for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway through which one-fifth of the world's oil flows. The Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed that vessels must now coordinate their passage with local authorities, with some shipping companies already paying millions of dollars in fees for what Iran calls "safe passage" through the strait. The move gives Tehran significant control over one of the world's most critical shipping routes, which connects the Persian Gulf to international waters and serves as a vital corridor for global oil exports.