Iran Receives First Revenue from Strategic Hormuz Strait Tolls
The news was confirmed on Thursday, April 23, 2026, by Hamid Reza Hajibabaei, the Deputy Speaker of the Iranian Parliament. According to a report by the state-run Fars News Agency, the first installment of revenue generated from these tolls has already been deposited into the accounts of the Central Bank of Iran. While the specific amount and the mechanisms of collection remain undisclosed, the move marks a significant shift in Tehran's control over the corridor.
The announcement comes despite earlier signals from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who had hinted at reopening the crucial waterway for commercial traffic. However, following a series of political and military developments, Tehran opted to re-close the strait. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated that Washington will maintain a strict naval blockade on Iranian waters until a final agreement is reached between the two nations. Although the U.S. President expressed hope for a swift resolution to the standoff, the immediate outlook remains tense as both sides hold their positions.
The Iranian Armed Forces issued a stern rebuttal to the U.S. blockade, declaring in a statement that the Strait of Hormuz will not be fully reopened to general traffic until the American naval restrictions are entirely lifted. They further warned international ship owners that they must strictly adhere to Iranian directives while navigating the region. Given that a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas supply passes through this chokepoint, the combination of new toll impositions and the renewed closure has sparked fresh waves of anxiety across global markets and among NATO-member states concerned with international energy security.
