IRGC Establishes 'Tehran Toll Booth' — Charging Millions per Tanker Transit

The IRGC has established a 'Tehran toll booth' system at the Strait of Hormuz, forcing tankers through a narrow IRGC-controlled passage and charging millions of dollars per vessel for safe transit. NBC News and USNI News reported that at least 26 ships have used the tolled passage since approximately March 13. Thailand announced a bilateral deal with Iran on March 28 allowing Thai oil vessels safe passage under this framework. China, India, Pakistan, and Russia-flagged tankers are the primary beneficiaries of selective IRGC-managed passage arrangements. Shipping transits are down 90–95% from pre-war levels: only 142 transits recorded March 1–25 versus 2,652 in the same period in 2025. Ship insurance costs have risen to 3.5–10% of vessel value.