Islamabad: According to recent international reports, Iran now plans to collect a tax of one dollar per barrel from every oil tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which requires payment in digital currency, especially Bitcoin, instead of traditional currency.
The British newspaper Financial Times has been quoted as saying that Iran plans to further tighten surveillance of this important sea passage, so that this route is not allowed to be used for the transport of weapons or prohibited items during the ceasefire.
Hamid Hosseini, a spokesman for the Iranian Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Exporters Union, said that before allowing passage, each ship would be thoroughly inspected and cargo details would have to be provided to Iranian authorities via email. Taxes would then be determined and the relevant companies would be instructed to pay, which could delay the ships’ departure.
The decision comes at a time when a delicate ceasefire between Iran and the United States is in place, and the Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for global oil supplies, through which large amounts of energy pass around the world during its normal daily routine.
According to experts, under the proposed system, ships would first have to send their cargo details, after which Iran would send them a tax bill and the payment would be made in bitcoin or other digital currency.
The global shipping situation is also sensitive — according to reports, about 300 to 400 ships are waiting for their turn in the Gulf waters, which analysts are describing as a “huge parking lot.”
Global shipping company Mirasc has expressed concern over the situation, saying that it is assessing the situation and is not ready to resume normal operations at the moment.
Economic analysts say that if this plan takes shape, it could not only affect the global oil market but also have a profound impact on shipping methods, global supply chains and the use of digital currencies.
Similarly, some reports are also saying that if major oil companies are willing to pay in Bitcoin or Stakecoin, it could also prove to be a historic opportunity for the crypto market.
