Multiple outlets report that Iran has been accused of demanding fees of up to about $2 million per vessel for “safe passage” through the Strait of Hormuz, drawing widespread condemnation. DW compares Iran’s proposed charges with toll systems used by other major maritime chokepoints, including the Suez and Panama canals, which levy fees for transit.
According to DW’s explainer, Egypt and Panama charge because their waterways operate under established legal and administrative frameworks tied to canal management and fees for transit services. By contrast, the Strait of Hormuz is not run as a canal; it is an international strait used by ships that transit under prevailing norms governing passage through international waters. DW argues that this difference in legal status and governance is central to why authorities and observers question the legitimacy of charging there.
Inquirer.net adds that critics describe the Hormuz fee as extortion that threatens global energy security, given the strait’s role in oil and gas supply. It also reports Iran’s stated justification, including references to war-related reparations and “navigational” or security-related services, including discussions of coordination with Oman.
