Iran’s Strait Toll: A Strategic Lever That Could Tilt Global Energy Prices

Analysts warn Iran could levy a toll on ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint handling about 20% of global oil and LNG, creating de facto control and a new geopolitical risk. A proposed tariff around $1 per barrel could equal roughly $2 million per tanker, but experts say the toll alone may not drastically raise production costs; it could, however, lift risk premiums and insurance costs and keep energy prices elevated if used as leverage, while infrastructure damage in the Gulf remains a bigger factor driving prices.