Tehran/New Delhi, March 2026 — In a move that has redrawn the geopolitical map of global energy, Iran’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz is now operating under a “restricted access” policy. While the waterway remains effectively closed to most international traffic, Tehran has officially granted passage to a select group of “friendly nations,” including India, China, Russia, Iraq, and Pakistan.
This selective opening comes as Iran continues its military operations in the Gulf, explicitly denying passage to those it categorizes as “enemies and their partners”.
The “Economic Terrorism” Controversy
The restriction of one of the world’s most vital maritime chokepoints has sent Brent crude surging toward $114 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) has climbed near $92. The disruption has triggered a sharp rise in the prices of diesel, jet fuel, and refined products, with Asian markets bearing the brunt of the supply tightening.
Sultan Al Jaber, head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, has labeled Tehran’s tactics as “economic terrorism.” He warned that the bottleneck would drive up the global cost of living, impacting everything from fuel and food to fertilizers and essential medicines.
A Sovereign Toll Route?
Adding to the global anxiety, Iran’s parliament is reportedly drafting legislation to formalize its control over the passage. The proposed law would impose mandatory fees on all ships for “safe passage,” essentially transforming a strategic international waterway into a sovereign toll route.
While the White House maintains that peace negotiations are ongoing, Tehran has publicly rejected those overtures. Instead, Iran has outlined its own conditions for resolution, centered on asserting total sovereign control over the Strait.
The International Response
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged an immediate reopening of the passage, noting that the prolonged disruption is “choking” global energy and food supplies. Despite the “friendly” status granted to India, the overall instability in the Gulf remains a significant threat to long-term energy security and the stability of global trade.
Bottom Line
The era of free navigation in the Gulf has been replaced by a system of geopolitical favoritism. While India holds a temporary reprieve, the prospect of a permanent Iranian toll in the Strait of Hormuz suggests that the global economy is entering a new, more expensive chapter of energy dependence.
