Iran War & Ceasefire — 2026-04-13

Iran Charges Ships Crypto and Yuan Tolls for Hormuz Passage Despite Ceasefire

Iran's IRGC has maintained a tollbooth system at the Strait of Hormuz despite the April 7 ceasefire, charging up to $2 million per vessel or $1 per barrel in cryptocurrency and Chinese yuan to circumvent US sanctions. Ship tracking data shows traffic remains more than 90% below normal levels, with only select vessels allowed to pass after advance coordination. ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber confirmed the strait is 'still not open' as Iran restricts and conditions traffic. In the past 36 hours, 15-20 ships transited using an Iranian-designated corridor after IRGC approval and fee payment.

Analysis
Prior reporting established Iran's toll system in late March at $2M per vessel in yuan. The new detail: 15-20 ships transited in the past 36 hours through an Iranian-designated corridor; the system is operational and scaling. ADNOC's confirmation that the strait is 'still not open' despite the ceasefire undermines the administration's framing of the ceasefire as having restored normalcy. Whether Iran can sustain parallel toll collection alongside a US naval blockade will test the operational limits of both forces.

2 sources

Oil tankers exit Strait of Hormuz amid fragile US-Iran ceasefire - Al Jazeera
April 12, 2026: Iran War Maritime Intelligence Daily - Windward