President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States will impose a 20% fee on all cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz to fund regional security. Trump stated the U.S. will act as the “guardian” of the strait, effectively ending previous policies of free navigation to offset the costs of maintaining safety in the volatile region.
Trump Imposes 20% ‘Guardian’ Fee on Hormuz Shipping
President Donald Trump declared via Truth Social that the U.S. will now be known as the “guardian of the Strait of Hormuz.” To support this role, the administration will collect a fee equal to 20% of the value of all cargo transporting through the waterway.
Trump stated this system is designed to cover “all the costs necessary to provide safety and security in this unstable world region.” He emphasized that the process would begin immediately. In a separate phone interview with Fox News, Trump reinforced the move, stating, “We will keep the strait, and maybe we will operate it… we should be compensated for that.”
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U.S. Resumes Naval Blockade Against Iran
Alongside the new fee, President Trump announced the resumption of a maritime blockade targeting Iran. According to his Truth Social post, this “Iran blockade” specifically prevents Iranian ships or customers from entering or exiting the strait.
Trump asserted that the U.S. now maintains control over the waterway, claiming the strait remains open regardless of Iran’s presence. While the blockade targets Iranian interests, Trump noted that “all other countries can use the strait fairly and freely,” provided they adhere to the new compensation structure.
Escalating Military Conflict and Iranian Response
The announcement follows a surge in military hostilities. According to reports, the U.S. and Iran have been engaged in missile and drone exchanges since the 11th, after Iran declared the strait closed due to “unauthorized passage.”
The conflict escalated on the 13th with reciprocal attacks and Iranian strikes on U.S. military bases in the Middle East. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement on the 13th asserting that the only way to restore normal shipping is for the U.S. to cease its military intervention.
The IRGC warned that continued U.S. “interference” could lead to “larger events in the global oil and gas sector.”
Comparative Stance on Hormuz Control
| Position | United States (Trump Admin) | Iran (IRGC) |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Claims U.S. as “Guardian” / Operator | Claims right to close for “unauthorized” use |
| Access | Open to all (with 20% fee); Blockade on Iran | Closed until U.S. military intervention ends |
Threats of “Hitting Hard” After Failed Agreements
Trump signaled a shift toward more aggressive military action against Tehran. During his Fox News interview, he claimed that Iran has “always broken” their agreements.
“We have made agreements with these people 10 times, but now we are going to hit them very hard,” Trump stated, indicating that previous diplomatic efforts are no longer the primary strategy.
Industry Insight:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new fee for passing through the Strait of Hormuz?
President Trump announced a fee equal to 20% of the value of the cargo being transported.
Who is affected by the new U.S. blockade?
The blockade specifically targets Iranian ships and customers, preventing them from entering or exiting the strait.
How has Iran responded to these measures?
The IRGC stated that normal shipping can only resume if the U.S. stops its military intervention, warning of potential disruptions to the global oil and gas sectors.
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