Iran is proposing to impose access fees on ships and under-sea internet cables that transit the Strait of Hormuz [1, 2].

The plan targets one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. Because the waterway carries a large share of global oil shipments and essential fiber-optic cables, any disruption or new cost could impact international energy prices and digital connectivity.

Reports of the proposal surfaced in March 2024 [1, 2]. The scheme aims to use the strait as an economic lever against Western countries and to raise revenue while the country remains under sanctions [1, 3].

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's chief negotiator, said the Strait of Hormuz will be administered by Tehran and appropriate fees will be imposed on all transits [4]. This administrative shift would allow the government to monetize the passage of global trade through the narrow corridor between Iran and Oman [3].

Officials linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard suggested the financial impact would be significant. A senior official quoted by Revolutionary Guard-linked media said the country could earn up to $40 billion a year from these fees [1, 2].

Security experts have noted that the move transforms the waterway into a strategic tool. An unnamed security expert said Iran is turning the Strait of Hormuz into a strategic leverage tool, and fees could become a major source of cash for the regime [3].

While some reports emphasize the potential for $40 billion in revenue [1, 2], other assessments suggest that the total value of oil passing through the waterway annually is approximately $40 billion, indicating a possible overlap or contradiction in how the figure is applied [3]. Additionally, while some sources cite plans to tax under-sea cables [2], other reports focus on broader trade threats without confirming a concrete cable levy.

“"We could earn up to $40 billion a year from these fees."”

By attempting to monetize the Strait of Hormuz, Iran is shifting from traditional military threats of closure to a model of economic extraction. If implemented, these fees would create a permanent financial dependency for global shipping and telecommunications companies on Iranian administrative approval, effectively granting Tehran a recurring revenue stream that is difficult for U.S. sanctions to block.