Negotiations between Iranian and US delegations in Islamabad have entered their eighth consecutive hour, with no agreement reached on the key issue of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, a new mechanism described by maritime industry sources as the “Tehran toll” has emerged, allegedly allowing Iran to exert control over the vital waterway.
The report suggests that following recent military tensions, Iran has imposed a system requiring vessels to obtain permits and pay significant fees to transit the strait.
Shipowners from countries including China, India, and Greece are reportedly negotiating directly with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to secure passage.
Vessels with authorization are said to be rerouted through a northern corridor near Qeshm and Larak islands, deviating from traditional international shipping lanes.
The United States and Gulf states have strongly opposed any permanent implementation of such a system, citing concerns over freedom of navigation and global trade stability.
Angle Analysis:
The reported “toll system” transforms Hormuz from a transit route into a geopolitical pressure point, linking maritime control directly to diplomatic leverage—making it a central obstacle in ongoing negotiations.
