Iran collects initial payment from new shipping fees at the Strait of Hormuz, according to government representative

A dramatic operation unfolded on April 22, as Iranian forces targeted three container ships, seizing two, according to global security monitors and the country's Revolutionary Guards, marking the latest incident to threaten a crucial trade route in the Middle East war.

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This development came to light through a screen grab taken from undated video footage released by Iran's Revolutionary Guards and made available via Iran's state broadcaster on April 23, 2026, showing a container ship attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz amidst the operation.

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A senior Iranian parliament official announced on Thursday that Tehran has received the first revenue from tolls imposed on the strategic Strait of Hormuz in its war with the United States and Israel, with deputy speaker of parliament Hamidreza Hajibabaei confirming the deposit of the revenue into the Central Bank account.

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According to Hajibabaei, as reported by Tasnim news agency and other Iranian media, the first revenue from the Strait of Hormuz tolls has been received, although no further details were provided.

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The Strait of Hormuz, a key energy chokepoint, has become a major flashpoint since the outbreak of the Middle East war on February 28, with Iran allowing only a limited number of ships to pass through the waterway.

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This waterway is a vital route, accounting for a fifth of the world's oil and gas flows, along with other essential commodities, in peacetime, but Iranian officials have warned that maritime traffic through the strait would "not return to its pre-war status".

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On March 30, Iranian state media reported that the parliament's security commission had approved plans to impose tolls on shipping through the strait, although it was unclear if a final parliamentary vote on the proposal had taken place.

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US President Donald Trump has been pushing for Iran to open the strait, while Britain, France, and military planners from over 30 countries have held discussions to protect navigation through the strait.

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Paris and London have expressed their intention to lead a multinational mission to secure the strait "as soon as conditions allow", as part of efforts to address the ongoing situation in the region.