Money talks—as the Iran war continues, options for the Strait of Hormuz are coalescing around one solution – tolls

The Strait of Hormuz has become the central battleground of the U.S.-Iran conflict. 

Prior to the outbreak of the war on 28 February, roughly 20% of global oil and LNG shipments moved through the narrow waterway—today, just a handful of ships are moving through, according to maritime intelligence firm Kpler.

The U.S. has launched nightly airstrikes against Iranian military targets since 11 July, while Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on U.S. forces, Gulf countries, and shipping-related targets.

Kpler noted last week that: “While regional mediation efforts remain underway, commercial shipping patterns suggest military developments are now shaping operational decisions more than diplomatic progress.”

In its latest operational update on 16 July, the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), counted 10 Iranian attacks on shipping since 25 June, and maintained a severe threat level for the Strait of Hormuz, meaning an attack is highly likely. 

“Recent confirmed incidents reinforce that the threat environment remains heightened and warrants extreme vigilance,” said JMIC, which works with the navies of the Combined Maritime Forces in the Middle East Region to provide security updates, threat assessments, and safe transit advice to merchant ships and global shipping companies. 

“IRGC attacks, hailing, and routing pressure continue, particularly for AIS-active vessels,” JMIC said.

On 20 July, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said two oil tankers had exploded and been left immobilised after attempting to cross what it described as an unsafe southern route through the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC allege the U.S. military had encouraged the vessels to use the passage.

Meanwhile, the IRGC said the Strait of Hormuz “will not be safe for the transit of petrochemical products,........

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