Trump declares Strait of Hormuz 'joint venture' with Iran as Tehran's tollbooth is set to rake in $1million per ship: 'It's a beautiful thing'

UK Daily Mail ^ | 4/8/2026 | Ross Ibbetson

[fruser1]

The exact terms have not been agreed but Iran wants to charge tolls of up to $1 million on ships that pass through the Strait during the two-week period, an unnamed Middle East official told the Associated Press.

Trump welcomed the idea on Wednesday, telling ABC: 'We're thinking of doing it as a joint venture. It's a way of securing it - also securing it from lots of other people.

'It's a beautiful thing.'

The Strait, through which a fifth of the world's oil flows, has now become known as the 'Tehran Tollbooth', according to Bloomberg.

Ship owners go through a complex and expensive process of negotiation which includes middlemen, foreign currency and crypto transactions.

The ships must inform intermediary companies linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of the ship's cargo, destination, and ultimate owner.

Iran then charges a 'toll' of at least $1 per barrel - and this must be paid in Chinese yuan or cryptocurrency.

The average rate for a single oil tanker is $2 million. If everything is approved, IRGC boats will finally provide an escort into and out of the 'tollbooth'.

[fruser1]

On the other side of the Persian Gulf are Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and Oman.

I think I'd rather see one of them collecting "tolls" instead of Iran, who will just be using the money to rearm as they did with obama money.

What would be even better would be the US collecting "tolls" to reimburse the operation.

[Skywise]

This is a win?

[teeman8r]

sounds like a win. the US protects the straight and ships and collects a booty and keeps tabs on the mullahs.

win win win

[BenLurkin]

No, it isn’t.

Quite the opposite.

[dforest]

That is the Trump we know.

[Westbrook]

LOL!!

I don’t think the money is going where Iranian thugocracy thinks it’s going.

Trump is nothing if not the ultimate wheeler-dealer.

There will be serious changes in Iran before they get a dime.

[bray]

We get half the money and a million is less than 1% of the value of the ship.

[Vermont Lt]

They charge a toll to transit a natural waterway? Why? What did Iran do to make it more navigable?

This is what the Barbary Pirates did in the 1790s.

Why the US would want any part of this is beyond me.

[Palio di Siena]

Thought we sunk all their boats?

[Skwor]

It is if we also get paid, that is typically what a joint venture is. Also going into business together promotes a better relationship between countries.

This also means China oil imports will cost more and that is a win.

[abigkahuna]

But why not Oman collecting anything, afterall, their country is the one that juts out into the Strait (Or should I say Gays) of Hormuz?

[BenLurkin]

bttt

[Tell It Right]

IMHO it depends. If Iran collects tolls for 2 weeks to get "reimbursed", so they can save face, but no fees charged after that and allows nuclear inspections and no attacking cargo ships in Hormuz or Red Sea (Suez Canal) and no attacks on Israel, then I count it as a win for us.

But if it's Iran collects tolls forevermore, it's a loss.

[thegagline]

Prior to Operation Epic Fury, there was no Iranian toll on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. With Trump’s acceptance of the 2 week ceasefire, Iran is now imposing a $2,000,000 toll on ships passing through the strait.(See point 7 of Iran’s 10-point peace plan; half of the toll will go to Oman)

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

We did, but we didn’t kill all but 8 year old girls and under. It is therefore, not a win.

[roving]

I don’t see how this is a win.

[Lazamataz]

If this is a win, I’d hate to see us lose.

[roving]

The money will be passed on to the consumer.

[Lazamataz]

I’m waiting to see the details, but so far, not impressed.

[CodeJockey]

My rule is anything I read in any British tabloid, I assume the opposite is the truth.