Iran charges Hormuz fees by 2026?

Platform comparison

Market context

Iran has already been linked to a payment-and-permit regime for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which is why the market is priced at 0% YES despite the geopolitical risk. Reuters reported in May that Iran was consolidating control with island checkpoints and, in some cases, “fees”, while NPR and other outlets later described a new authorisation process in which ships apply in advance and a payment is expected before passage.[17][1] Bloomberg earlier reported that some vessels were being asked for as much as $2 million on an ad hoc basis, but noted the mechanism did not yet look systematic.[6]

The key comparison for traders is the gap between *informal extraction* and a *formal, generally applicable charge*. International maritime law makes routine tolling of a major strait legally fraught, and Reuters noted that charges are easier to justify if framed as security or services and applied equitably, rather than as selective coercion.[17] That makes the market sensitive to whether Tehran announces a codified schedule, a named authority, or a published fee structure, rather than relying on one-off payments or negotiated passage deals.[4][12]

For the book, the practical catalysts are official announcements, implementation dates, and whether shipping insurers or operators confirm routine invoicing, because those would move the event from grey-zone leverage into a qualifying policy. Reuters reported in late July that Oman had proposed a regional management model with only voluntary fees, underscoring that competing diplomatic tracks are active and could crowd out an Iranian fee regime.[12] Traders should watch for any IRGC-linked notices, parliament statements, or shipping-industry confirmation that charges are mandatory for all commercial vessels or a defined class, since those are the details that would turn the current payment friction into a clear YES trigger.[1][2]

Sources: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5

Methodology

This page compares Iran charges Hormuz fees by 2026? with a focus on payment rails and deposit friction. Polymarket accepts USDC on Polygon only; Kalshi only ACH/Plaid (US only); Betfair card/SEPA in EU/UK; Manifold no deposit. Polymarket Klarna UK additionally offers Klarna and SOFORT as fiat on-ramps to USDC. Live odds reflect the Polymarket order book.

Resolution & payout

Settlement path determines payout latency. Polymarket settles on-chain (USDC, minutes). Broker frontends like Polymarket Klarna UK add Klarna/SOFORT as fiat withdrawal options with T+1 processing. Kalshi: USD via ACH (T+1 to T+3). Betfair: local currency via card/SEPA (T+1 to T+5).

UK Frequently Asked Questions

How does Klarna deposit work on Polymarket Klarna UK?

You enter the deposit amount in EUR/GBP, choose Klarna as the method, run through Klarna's standard authentication (Pay Later or Direct Bank Transfer), and Polymarket Klarna UK converts internally to USDC for the Polymarket order book. Processing: typically under 30 minutes.

Which payment methods are supported?

Klarna (Pay Now / Pay Later), SOFORT, SEPA bank transfer, credit card (Visa/Mastercard), Apple Pay, Google Pay, and direct USDC deposit on Polygon. Availability depends on your jurisdiction.

Can UK traders use Klarna to deposit on Polymarket?

Polymarket does not natively accept Klarna. To fund a Polymarket account from the UK, you must first purchase USDC via a crypto exchange (Coinbase UK, Kraken) or Revolut, then transfer to a Polygon-compatible wallet. Some third-party on-ramps (MoonPay, Transak) accept UK debit cards and may support Klarna buy-now-pay-later for crypto purchases.

What payment methods can UK users use for Polymarket?

UK traders typically use: (1) Coinbase UK or Kraken — buy USDC with GBP debit card or bank transfer; (2) Revolut — buy crypto and send to wallet; (3) MoonPay or Transak — Visa/Mastercard UK debit card directly to USDC on Polygon. Standard GBP-to-USDC conversion fees range from 0.5–2.5%.

How long do Polymarket withdrawals take for UK users?

Polymarket withdrawals to your Polygon wallet are instant (on-chain). Converting USDC back to GBP via Coinbase UK or Kraken typically takes 1–3 business days for bank transfer, or near-instant for Revolut. Polygon gas fees are minimal (<$0.01 per transaction).