According to reports from the Financial Times and The Hill on April 8, the Iran Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Products Exporters' Union (OPEX), which maintains close ties with the Iranian government, has disclosed that during the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, Iran will require tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz to pay a transit fee of $1 per barrel using cryptocurrency.
Public information indicates that OPEX is often referred to by foreign media as Iran's largest national export industry organization in the energy sector. It boasts over 350 active member companies, covering major entities involved in the production and export of petroleum products, natural gas and its derivatives, and petrochemicals within Iran.
Although the union is a non-governmental industry association, it serves as a crucial communication bridge between the Iranian government and exporters, as well as a key reference channel for international traders seeking energy partners in Iran. Its chairman and spokespersons typically maintain close connections with the Iranian government and enterprises linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
On Wednesday local time, OPEX spokesperson Hamid Hosseini told the Financial Times that to secure control over a key shipping lane in the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire period, Iran plans to impose fees on all transiting tankers and conduct inspections on a vessel-by-vessel basis.
"Iran needs to monitor vessels entering and exiting the strait to ensure these two weeks are not used for weapons transfers," he stated. "All vessels are permitted to pass, but the single-vessel inspection process is time-consuming, and Iran is in no hurry."
Hosseini explained that any transiting tanker must first email Iran to declare its cargo. Iran will then inform the vessel of the required fee amount in digital currency. Empty tankers may pass through free of charge.
"Once the email is received and Iran completes its assessment, the vessel owner must pay in Bitcoin within seconds to ensure the transaction cannot be tracked or frozen due to sanctions," he added.
According to CNBC, traffic through the strait had already begun to recover before the ceasefire was reached. Data from Lloyd's List showed that during the week of March 30 to April 5, approximately 72 vessels transited the strait, marking the busiest week since the conflict began on February 28. About 80% of these vessels were linked to Iran, with 13% owned by Chinese companies. However, traffic volume remains 90% below normal levels.
Regarding international media's focus on the strait fee issue, Iranian Ambassador to China Fazli stated in Beijing on the 8th that Iran has not yet issued a formal fee plan or standards. Decisions will be made by referring to international practices for waterway transit fees and international law.
Shortly after Hosseini's interview, on the 8th local time, the first day the temporary U.S.-Iran ceasefire took effect, the Israeli military launched its largest airstrike against Hezbollah in Lebanon since the conflict began. Iran claimed this action violated the ceasefire agreement and subsequently closed the Strait of Hormuz again, threatening deterrent actions against Israeli military targets. The U.S. and Israel asserted that the ceasefire agreement did not include Lebanon.
Meanwhile, maritime traffic tracking system data showed that the tanker AURORA, originally headed for the Strait of Hormuz exit, made a sudden 180-degree turn near the Musandam Peninsula in Oman and returned to the depths of the Persian Gulf.
Responding to reports of the strait's renewed closure, White House Press Secretary Levitt called the claims "inaccurate."
"Public statements do not align with the actual private situation," she stated. "Today we have observed an increase in traffic through the strait. I reiterate, the President expects and demands the immediate, rapid, and safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz."
However, according to the Financial Times, on Wednesday, tankers in the Gulf received English-language radio warnings stating that unauthorized attempts to transit would face military strikes. Audio obtained by the British media indicated, "Any vessel attempting to transit without permission will be destroyed."
The report also noted that Western shipowners were cautiously observing the situation on Wednesday, awaiting details and feasibility assessments for the strait's reopening. Apart from two vessels linked to Iran, no other ships attempted the passage. Marine traffic company MarineTraffic indicated that the transiting vessels were dry bulk carriers, not oil tankers.
Data from commodity analytics firm Kpler showed that approximately 187 tankers in the Gulf region are loaded with 175 million barrels of crude oil and refined products. Their ability to depart depends on the strait's situation. Industry executives estimated that between 300 to 400 vessels are waiting to leave safely, creating a scene resembling a "marine parking lot."
In the early hours of the 9th, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy issued a statement announcing an alternative safe route for the Strait of Hormuz. The statement cited the current state of war in the Persian Gulf and the strait, as well as the potential presence of anti-ship mines in the main channel. To adhere to navigation safety principles and avoid mine incidents, all vessels planning to transit must coordinate with the IRGC Navy and follow the designated alternative route and attached map until further notice.
The route map indicates that inbound vessels must travel north from the Sea of Oman past Larak Island to enter the Persian Gulf, while outbound vessels must detour south of Larak Island from the Persian Gulf toward the Sea of Oman.
During a briefing on Wednesday, when asked which party currently controls the Strait of Hormuz, White House spokesperson Levitt did not provide a direct response.
She only stated, "We expect the strait to be opened immediately. As I said before, we have observed a recovery in strait traffic and are monitoring the situation day by day, minute by minute."
Regarding Iran's proposal to charge strait transit fees, Levitt mentioned that President Trump's previous statements were clear: the ceasefire agreement is premised on the "unconditional opening" of the strait. This requirement "should be taken literally," and the U.S. will ensure all parties comply.
On the same day, Trump revealed in an interview that the U.S. is considering a "joint venture" with Iran to jointly manage the transit fee issue for the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to "safeguard the security of the Strait of Hormuz."
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