Iran seeks to cash in on Strait of Hormuz

Iran is routing ships through a narrow channel in the Strait of Hormuz, with some vessels reportedly paying millions for safe passage under a system Tehran suggests could outlast the war with the U.S. and Israel

Route of Iran‑approved vessels: Runs within Iranian territorial waters to allow Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) to visually verify ship details

UAE
IRAN
OMAN
OMAN
IRAN
STRAIT OF HORMUZ
Peacetime shipping lanes
Islands disputed between Iran and UAE, occupied by Iran
PERSIAN GULF
GULF OF OMAN
Larak Island
Bandar Abbas
IRGC naval bases
Qeshm Island
Hormuz Island
Abu Musa

12 miles
20km

At least 1,000 ships and over 20,000 seafarers stranded in Gulf

SHIPPING THROUGH HORMUZ
Ship arrivals by vessel type, Feb 1-Mar 22

Tanker
Dry Bulk
Other

Most vessels still passing through strait linked to Chinese, Indian or Gulf state owners – including sanctioned “dark fleet” ships

Some have reportedly paid up to $2 million for safe passage

Feb 28: War begins

Feb 1
Feb 28
Mar 22
0
40
80
120

3
76
129
17

Sources: Reuters, IMO, PortWatch
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