Iran’s blockade and toll system in the Strait of Hormuz during the US-Israel war

3 hours ago2 articles from 2 sources

Consensus Summary

Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz since the US-Israel war began on February 28, reducing daily vessel traffic from 138 to just 5-6 large ships while imposing a de facto toll system. The IRGC controls a northern corridor near Iranian waters, requiring vessels to pass through Iranian territorial waters for verification, with at least two ships reportedly paying $2 million each for safe passage. Iran’s oil exports remain steady at 1.6 million barrels per day, while global shipping costs have surged due to the blockade. Nations like India and China, heavily reliant on Middle Eastern oil, are negotiating with Tehran for safe passage, though risks persist as factional IRGC disputes could still disrupt shipments. Over 20 vessels have been attacked since the conflict, and 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf. International efforts, including a proposed UK-hosted summit, aim to reopen the strait, but analysts warn normal shipping patterns may not resume for months. The blockade has forced some shipowners to pay premiums for risky transits, while others remain anchored due to safety concerns.

✓ Verified by 2+ sources

Key details reported by multiple sources:

The Strait of Hormuz saw daily traffic drop from ~138 vessels pre-war to ~5-6 large vessels daily (ABC) or ~40 vessels entering/exiting in March (Guardian), with total March transits estimated at ~100 (Guardian).
Iran has imposed a 'selective closure' or 'toll booth' regime, requiring vessels to transit through a northern corridor near Iranian waters (ABC, Guardian).
Iran’s IRGC controls the strait, with at least two ships reportedly paying $2 million each for passage (ABC, Guardian).
Iran’s crude oil exports averaged 1.6 million barrels per day from March 1–23 (ABC), despite the blockade.
The US-Israel war on Iran began on February 28, 2024, leading to the blockade (ABC, Guardian).
Iran’s 'safe corridor' runs between Larak Island and the Iranian mainland (Guardian), deviating from the traditional shipping lane (ABC).
Over 20 ships have been attacked or damaged since the conflict began, including the Palau-flagged Skylight tanker (Guardian).
India and China are among the most impacted nations, with India relying on the strait for 40% of crude oil and half of LNG imports (ABC, Guardian).
The UN’s IMO has warned of 20,000 stranded seafarers in the Gulf (Guardian).
Iran’s new law formalizing the toll system was expected to be finalized by late March (ABC).
Iran’s Kharg Island hosted one oil tanker and two supertankers on March 17 (ABC).
The Joint Maritime Information Centre reported 138 vessels transiting the strait daily pre-war (ABC, Guardian).
Iran’s 'non-hostile vessels' policy excludes US/Israel-linked ships (Guardian).
Israel killed IRGC navy head Alireza Tangsiri on March 22, reportedly responsible for the strait closure (Guardian).
Greek, Chinese, Indian, UAE, and Marshall Islands-flagged ships are among those transiting (ABC, Guardian).
Shipping insurance remains available but at higher premiums (Guardian)

Points of Difference

Details reported by only one source:

ABC News

Former merchant mariner Sal Mercogliano stated Iran has 'control of the strait,' with ~12 vessels now using the new corridor (ABC).
ABC revealed a Japanese-owned bulk carrier transiting the strait while broadcasting 'CHINA OWNER' from its transponder (ABC).
Iran charges $2 million per ship as a transit fee, with payments reportedly made in Chinese yuan (ABC).
ABC cited Dr. Mercogliano: 'They’re coordinating with the Iranians for passage out, but to verify, they’re passing by, and they’re getting positively identified' (ABC).
India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stated: 'It is better that we reason and we coordinate and we get a solution, than we don’t' (ABC).
ABC reported 150 ships transited the strait between March 1–26, including 46 oil tankers (vs. pre-war average of 50 oil tankers daily) (ABC).
ABC noted Iran owns >20% of ships crossing the strait, with many Iranian vessels sailing without broadcasting locations (ABC).
ABC cited Sir John Jenkins: 'The Chinese would have good access to central authorities, not just the political authorities in Tehran, but also the IRGC' (ABC).
ABC reported India’s Pine Gas LPG Carrier crossed the strait and was expected to reach port in late March (ABC).
ABC stated Greek shipowners are taking advantage of higher shipping costs to run the strait (ABC).
ABC mentioned Iran’s new law to formalize the toll system was expected to be finalized by late March (ABC).
ABC cited TankerTrackers data showing Iran’s oil exports averaged 1.6 million barrels/day from March 1–23 (ABC).
ABC reported Iran’s crude oil exports have been 'relatively unimpeded' by the war (ABC).
ABC noted the US lifted sanctions on Iranian oil to boost global supply, increasing Iran’s revenue (ABC).
ABC stated Iran’s 'selective closure' allows its own tankers and 'friends' to pass (ABC).
ABC reported Iran’s daily traffic is down ~95% since February 28 (ABC).
ABC cited Lloyd’s List: 'At least two ships so far have paid for passage' (ABC).

The Guardian

The Guardian reported 1,000 vessels and crews remain anchored or in port due to risks (Guardian).
Guardian stated normal commercial navigation has not resumed, despite a slight uptick in transits (Guardian).
Guardian noted the IRGC does not act as a single organization, risking factional delays or seizures despite official clearance (Guardian).
Guardian reported four vessels transited the strait on March 22 with AIS on, including one Panama-flagged tanker and two cargo vessels (Guardian).
Guardian logged two cargo ships entering the Gulf on March 24 without broadcasting positions (Guardian).
Guardian stated at least 10 large vessels were observed north of Larak Island on March 24, preparing for transit (Guardian).
Guardian reported the UK offered to host an international security summit to reopen the strait (Guardian).
Guardian noted maritime insurance cover remains available but demand has been low (Guardian).
Guardian stated the difficulty for shipowners is ensuring crew/vessel safety, not insurance (Guardian).
Guardian reported the Skylight tanker attack killed its captain and a crew member (both Indian nationals) (Guardian).
Guardian noted no vessels have been damaged since March 22 (Guardian).
Guardian stated analysts assume it will take months for normal shipping patterns to return (Guardian).
Guardian reported Iran’s 'safe corridor' is a northerly route close to the Iranian coastline (Guardian).
Guardian cited Lloyd’s List: 'Tehran’s tollbooth' is Iran’s way to exert control over traffic (Guardian).
Guardian noted Iran’s approval does not guarantee vessel safety (Guardian).
Guardian reported 30+ countries signed a joint statement to safeguard the strait (Guardian).
Guardian stated the Red Sea Houthis’ 2023 disruptions were compared to the Strait of Hormuz situation (Guardian).
Guardian reported the standard commercial shipping lane saw no traffic on March 24 (Guardian).
Guardian noted Iran’s 'non-hostile vessels' policy excludes US/Israel-linked ships (Guardian).

Contradictions

Conflicting information between sources:

ABC reports Iran’s daily traffic is down ~95% since February 28, while the Guardian states 138 vessels transited daily pre-war but only ~100 in March (total), implying a ~30% reduction rather than 95%.
ABC claims Iran’s oil exports averaged 1.6 million barrels/day from March 1–23, while the Guardian does not provide a specific export volume figure for comparison.
ABC states Iran charges $2 million per ship for passage, but the Guardian does not confirm this exact figure, only stating 'at least two vessels have paid' without specifying amounts.
ABC reports India has a 'preference towards negotiating with Tehran' for safe passage, while the Guardian does not explicitly state India’s diplomatic stance beyond mentioning India’s reliance on the strait.
ABC cites Sir John Jenkins saying China has 'good access' to IRGC authorities, while the Guardian does not quote Jenkins but implies diplomatic pressure from China may have influenced Iran’s actions.

Source Articles

GUARDIAN

‘Tehran’s tollbooth’: a visual guide to how a trickle of ships still passes through strait of Hormuz

Many of the vessels willing to make the crossing are taking an alternative route through Iranian waters Threats to shipping have effectively closed the strait of Hormuz since the US-Israel war on Iran...

27 March 2026

ABC

'You're going to run the strait': The financial incentive for braving Iran's blockade

Iran is running one of the world's most critical shipping lanes as a "toll booth" and has likely made hundreds of millions of dollars of extra income from selling its own oil since the US and Israel w...

8 hours ago