<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/iran" rel="" target="" title="Iran"><span>Iran</span></a><span> is considering turning the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-middle-east-iran-oil-sanctions-lifted-usa-news/11fa85b8-59e1-4012-a8ad-704f2408bae0" rel="" target="" title="Strait of Hormuz"><span>Strait of Hormuz</span></a><span> into the world's most expensive toll booth, charging vessels an immense sum for safe passage.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-attack-iran-new-supreme-leader-ayatollah-mojtaba-khamenei-issues-first-message/77821e30-da6c-4ce3-96ff-23104e7f65d8" rel="" target="" title="Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei"><span>Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei</span></a><span> is pushing for ways to monetise its control of the narrow body of water, through which 20 per cent of the world's oil passes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Iranian news outlet Daily Javan said charging vessels for safe passage would "compensate Iran's losses in the war".</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-kharg-island-ground-troops-invasion-of-iran-usa-news/765b7562-cb23-436c-b7fa-b8a0acd616ff"><strong><span>Trump considering ground invasion of critical Iranian island: reports</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>To pay for the damage Iran has suffered in the war, the article wrote oil tankers could be taxed $US50 a barrel - a 50 per cent markup.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Such a move would send </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/fuel-shortage-australia-calls-for-action-as-hundreds-of-service-stations-in-nsw-queensland-victoria-and-south-australia-run-out-of-fuel/ced53768-0ded-4980-8064-65afb749c06d" rel="" target="" title="oil prices surging worldwide"><span>oil prices surging worldwide</span></a><span>, including in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national" rel="" target="" title="Australia"><span>Australia</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But ships from </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/israel" rel="" target="" title="Israel"><span>Israel</span></a><span> and </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/usa" rel="" target="" title="the US"><span>the US</span></a><span> would not be allowed in through strait at all.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/iran-strait-of-hormuz-toll-tankers-charge-tax-middle-east-latest-updates/274c41fa-6a57-45f7-8663-bbbaeb2150bc" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This would not be a major concern for the US, which produces much of its own oil. It would be a blow to Israel's refined petroleum supplies, however.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Already Iran is reportedly charging shipping companies about $2.8 million in order to let their vessels through the strait unscathed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Iran's parliament is now considering legislation to codify taxes for safe passage into law.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/ice-airport-donald-trump-queues-tsa-unpaid-usa-politics-news/0344620f-1a30-42af-b4d8-7817107bcd8a"><strong><span>There's four-hour queues at US airports. Trump's solution isn't helping</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Collecting US$2 million as transit fees from some vessels crossing the strait reflects Iran's strength," top politician Alaeddin Boroujerdi said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>President Masoud Pezeshkian's rhetoric implied many vessels were free to travel through.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The Strait of Hormuz is open to all except those who violate our soil," he said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We firmly confront delirious threats on the battlefield."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Already four vessels from India have been able to go through the strait. It is not known whether they paid Iran in order to do so.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>At its narrowest, the Strait of Hormuz is just 34km wide.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-iran-gift-oil-and-gas-middle-east-usa-politics-news/a8aa0c9b-666b-4323-92bf-af32bf6c7019"><strong><span>Trump says Iran has sent expensive gift to US, but won't say what it is</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Missile launch sites dot the Iranian coastline of the Strait, including underground bases. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They also have small vessels capable of laying mines stealthily.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An Iranian drone or missile strike on a cargo vessel trying to get through the strait could result in a fiery death followed by a watery grave.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Even a military escort of cargo tankers would provide limited protection from an Iranian strike.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-suspicious-futures-trades-treason-paul-krugman-corruption-chris-murphy/9bd90b2b-b13e-4cea-a0d3-250bc43ad3d5"><strong><span>$800m in trades before Trump announcement 'is treason'</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div>