Hormuz Strait Reopens "Conditionally"! Iran Imposes Three Strict Restrictions: Designating a Dedicated Navigation Route, Enforcing Toll Collection, Supervised by IRGC

The crisis threatening the world’s energy lifeline has not yet been resolved! Although the market is optimistic that the Strait of Hormuz will be fully reopened, according to the latest disclosure by Iranian media WANA, the opening of the strait comes with extremely strict “three major conditions.” Iran not only requires commercial vessels to navigate through a controlled, dedicated route to Larak Island, with a mandatory charge of “security fees (tolls),” but also demands full oversight by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Insiders warn that if ceasefire commitments involving Lebanon and others fall apart, the strait could be closed again at any time.
(Background recap: Trump continues to send positive signals: Iran is clearing mines and has issued a hardline order to “prohibit Israel from bombing Lebanon”)
(Additional background: Major terms in the US-Iran talks: the US plans to unfreeze $20 billion in funds in exchange for Iran handing over “nuclear-grade enriched uranium”)

The global energy market may be celebrating the easing of tensions in the Middle East too early. Regarding the recently much-discussed issue of the “reopening of the Strait of Hormuz,” Iran’s official mouthpiece has released a completely different hardline stance.

According to a report on the 18th by Iran’s WANA News Agency, an insider revealed that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is “limited and conditional.” The person emphasized that this measure was carried out only under special circumstances and after full coordination with Iran’s armed forces; “this is by no means a routine reopening.”

Navigation comes with three stringent conditions: paying fees and military oversight

The report said ships are allowed to pass through the strait only when ceasefire conditions continue to be maintained, and they must comply with extremely strict restrictions. Iran has set three core conditions for commercial vessels to transit the strait:

• Designated dedicated routes: Vessels must follow the routes designated by Iran, entering the strait from north of Larak Island and exiting from the south. This arrangement effectively places the entire transit corridor within waters controlled by Iran.
• Enemy-nation prohibition and mandatory fees: Passage rights are strictly limited to “commercial vessels,” and Iran controls the authority to determine whether something qualifies as a commercial vessel. Any vessels or cargo related to hostile countries (such as the United States, Israel) will be denied passage. In addition, vessels approved to pass must pay “security fees,” effectively amounting to tolls.
• IRGC absolute supervision: All passage must be fully coordinated with Iran’s maritime authorities, especially the naval units of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). All vessel movements will be conducted under Iran’s direct supervision.

Tied to the situation in Lebanon, warning that it could be “sealed again at any time”

These strict transit guidelines shatter the market’s optimistic fantasy that the world’s global oil artery has been “completely and unconditionally unblocked.”

Another source familiar with the developments further told WANA that this decision is part of a regional temporary ceasefire agreement. The initial plan only allowed a “limited number” of ships to pass each day; but due to certain commitments (especially those related to Lebanon) not being fully implemented, the reopening process was temporarily suspended at one point.

The source issued a stern warning, stressing that the continuation of the strait’s reopening depends entirely on whether all parties comply with these conditions. Any actions that violate the ceasefire agreement, or the continued maritime blockade of Iran, will be considered a breach by Tehran—this “may lead to the Strait of Hormuz being fully closed again.”