Iran to turn Strait of Hormuz into toll booth
Iran is considering turning the Strait of Hormuz into the world’s most expensive toll booth, charging vessels an immense sum for safe passage.
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is pushing for ways to monetise its control of the narrow body of water, through which 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes.
Iranian news outlet Daily Javan said charging vessels for safe passage would “compensate Iran’s losses in the war.”
To pay for the damage Iran has suffered in the war, the article wrote oil tankers could be taxed $US50 a barrel – a 50 per cent markup.
Such a move would send oil prices surging worldwide, but ships from Israel and the US would not be allowed in through strait at all.
This would not be a major concern for the US, which produces much of its own oil. It would be a blow to Israel’s refined petroleum supplies, however.
Already Iran is reportedly charging shipping companies about US$2 million in order to let their vessels through the strait unscathed.
Iran’s parliament is now considering legislation to codify taxes for safe passage into law.
“Collecting US$2 million as transit fees from some vessels crossing the strait reflects Iran’s strength,” top politician Alaeddin Boroujerdi said.
President Masoud Pezeshkian’s rhetoric implied many vessels were free to travel through.
“The Strait of Hormuz is open to all except those who violate our soil,” he said.
“We firmly confront delirious threats on the battlefield.”
Already four vessels from India have been able to go through the strait. It is not known whether they paid Iran in order to do so.
At its narrowest, the Strait of Hormuz is just 34km wide.
Is this another Vietnam, Iraq, or Afghanistan?
Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which is on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine! Isaiah 28:1
For more, see (1) The Birthrights (2) Ephraim and Manasseh (3) Ephraim as the Thirteenth Tribe (4) Who is this lying Ephraim? (5) The Ox with horns of a Unicorn
Joel
A Prophecy of Esau and Jacob 