{
  "id": 92951,
  "title": "Tehran’s New Weapon Is Not a Bomb. It Is an Invoice.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/tehrans-new-weapon-is-not-a-bomb-it-is-an-invoice",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-03T15:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Time",
    "slug": "time",
    "url": "https://time.com/article/2026/08/03/tehran-trump-strait-of-hormuz-toll-oman-/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "Iran has turned the Strait of Hormuz into a source of revenue, and it is waging war to keep collecting.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}