Saturday, March 29, 2025
Tehran/Washington: March 23, 2026
Amidst escalating conflict with the United States and Israel, Iran has taken a startling step. Iran is now extracting millions of dollars from commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi confirmed that up to $2 million is being collected as a “transit fee” from ships to cover war-related expenses.
This development comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran. Issuing a 48-hour ultimatum on Sunday, Trump stated that if Iran does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz, the US will “obliterate” Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure.
The Iranian military’s operational command, ‘Khatam al-Anbiya,’ responded via state TV, asserting that if the US attacks their power plants, the Strait of Hormuz will be permanently sealed. Lawmaker Boroujerdi further claimed that Israel’s energy infrastructure is also within range of their missiles and could be destroyed “within a single day.”
Experts believe this tension could trigger a massive crash in global stock markets today, being referred to as ‘Black Monday.’ Uncertainty over oil prices and fears of a supply chain breakdown have sent shockwaves through global markets.
The US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, clarified that President Trump is standing by his “red line” and will not allow Iran to hold the world’s energy supply hostage. Meanwhile, US Navy warships and heavy landing craft are rapidly advancing toward the Hormuz region, deepening the shadows of an impending war.
