Iran Says It's Not Charging "Tolls" on the Strait of Hormuz — Just "Service Fees" of $2 Million Per Ship. Trump Calls It "A Beautiful Thing"
Iran announced it will charge up to $2 million per vessel to transit the Strait of Hormuz — but insists these are "service fees," not "tolls." Foreign Ministry spokesman Baghaei: "We do not charge tolls," but "services will be provided" that "require charging fees." The IRGC-linked Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), established May 5, processes clearances requiring 40+ categories of vessel data, paid in yuan or bitcoin — no dollars accepted. Iran's parliament codified the system on March 30-31, before any ceasefire. The June 14 MOU declares Hormuz "toll free" — but only for 60 days, after which Iran says fees apply. Trump initially said "they better not be" charging, then called it "a beautiful thing" and proposed a "joint venture." Naval War College's James Holmes: "There is no provision in international law for a coastal state charging for passage through a natural waterway, whether you call it a toll or a fee." No post-1945 precedent exists for mandatory fees on a natural strait. Oman refuses to impose tolls on its side. The IRGC declared the strait "will never return to its former state." Experts warn: if Hormuz gets a toll booth, so could Malacca, Gibraltar, and Bab el-Mandeb.