Iran Unveils Formal Hormuz Toll Plan; First VP Aref: Strait Will Block 'Enemy' Military Equipment; European Nations Begin IRGC Transit Negotiations — Day 79

Iran formally unveiled a structured toll and traffic management plan for the Strait of Hormuz on May 17, 2026 (Day 79), representing the most concrete institutionalization of Tehran's maritime control doctrine since the conflict began February 28. Iranian legislator Ebrahim Azizi described the mechanism as a 'professional mechanism to manage traffic in the Strait of Hormuz along a designated route,' under which 'only commercial vessels and parties cooperating with Iran will benefit' and 'fees will be collected for specialised services.' Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref simultaneously declared that Iran would prevent 'enemy' military equipment from passing through the strait — codifying the selective-access policy Tehran has maintained since early April. The toll plan builds on the May 4 formal Hormuz control zone declaration (which included $1M+ fees) and represents Iran's effort to transform its wartime maritime control into a permanent institutional framework. European nations reportedly began direct negotiations with the IRGC Navy about ship transit conditions and fees — a development that, if formalized, would effectively legitimize Iranian sovereignty claims over the internationally recognized transit passage. Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz continued at roughly 5% of pre-conflict levels despite the Trump-Xi May 14 agreement that Hormuz 'must remain open.' Over 1,550 vessels remain stranded with approximately 22,500 mariners trapped in the Persian Gulf and adjacent waters. US Secretary Rubio has consistently rejected any arrangement requiring coordination with Iran: 'We cannot accept that you have to coordinate with Iran or pay them a toll to transit the Strait of Hormuz.'