As a two-week ceasefire begins, Iran has announced it will demand tolls paid in cryptocurrency from oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Hamid Hosseini, spokesperson for Iran’s Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union, confirmed that the tariff is set at $1 per barrel of oil. To bypass international sanctions and prevent the confiscation of funds, Iran is requiring payments in digital currencies like Bitcoin. Iranian authorities stated that these measures, alongside mandatory cargo assessments via email, are necessary to ensure the waterway is not used for weapon transfers during the diplomatic window.
🇮🇷NEW: IRAN TO REQUIRE $BTC FOR STRAIT OF HORMUZ PASSAGE
Iran is officially mandating that shipping companies pay transit tolls in Bitcoin for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
This policy applies to oil tankers seeking passage during the current two-week ceasefire… pic.twitter.com/iskN4emP2N
— BSCN (@BSCNews) April 8, 2026
The move has created significant tension, as President Donald Trump previously stated the ceasefire was contingent on the “complete and safe opening” of the strait. On Wednesday, tankers in the Gulf reportedly received radio broadcasts warning they would be “destroyed” if they attempted transit without explicit Iranian permission. While empty tankers may pass freely, loaded vessels must use routes close to the Iranian coastline. Global shipping giants like Maersk remain cautious, noting a lack of “maritime certainty.” With an estimated 400 ships currently backlogged in the Gulf, analysts warn that Iran’s attempt to maintain a “veto” over regional exports could become a major obstacle in the upcoming peace talks in Islamabad.
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