Tehran’s New Weapon Is Not a Bomb. It Is an Invoice.
Iran has turned the Strait of Hormuz into a source of revenue, and it is waging war to keep collecting.
Iran's economy has been hit with a new weapon—invoices. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has begun charging fees for commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz, a move seen as a response to American and Saudi military actions against Iranian targets. According to Windward, a maritime intelligence firm, ships now face a fee of up to $2 million per transit through the Strait.
Iran estimates this could generate $70 billion to $90 billion annually. While the Malacca model of charging for navigation assistance is lawful, Iran has taken it a step further by imposing tolls. The United States and Saudi Arabia have responded with punitive strikes, while Oman's attempt to find a solution has collapsed. Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, has rejected the Omani plan, stating that Tehran should have full control over the strait.
This development marks a shift from previous battles over regime change and nuclear ambitions to a focus on economic control through the Strait of Hormuz.
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