At least two vessels that have traversed the strait have paid Iran fees in Chinese yuan to guarantee safe passage, analysts from Lloyd's List Intelligence said in a recent report. Analysts wrote that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps "has imposed a de facto 'toll booth' regime in the Strait of Hormuz, requiring vessels to submit full documentation, obtain clearance codes and accept IRGC-escorted passage through a single controlled corridor." Iran has indicated that it might seek to impose a toll on all ships passing through the strait under a long-term peace deal.

"How is this not piracy?
#8 | Posted by Jpw"

I'm going to pretend that's a real question.

Enforcement of a naval blockade is not considered piracy as it is a lawful act under international law, provided it is conducted in accordance with established legal frameworks. Piracy, on the other hand, involves acts of robbery or violence at sea that are not authorized by any state.