President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will take control of the Strait of Hormuz and demand a 20% compensation fee from cargo carriers to fund security operations in the region. According to Reuters and Trump’s Truth Social posts, the U.S. intends to act as the “guardian” of the waterway, blocking Iranian-linked ships while maintaining open transit for others to stabilize global oil supplies.
Trump’s ‘Guardian’ Strategy and the 20% Security Fee
President Donald Trump stated in a Fox News phone interview that the U.S. will “hold the strait” and manage it as a “guardian angel of the strait.” He argued that the U.S. must be paid for this role due to the extreme instability of the region.
In a follow-up post on Truth Social, Trump specified that the U.S. would receive compensation amounting to 20% of the value of all transported goods. He claimed this revenue is necessary to cover costs for guaranteeing the protection of the vital waterway. Trump added that “the process and preparation will begin immediately.”
Did you know? The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for global oil supplies. An effective blockade of the strait by Iran led to an increase in energy prices and intensified concerns about global inflation.
Iran’s Response and the Threat of ‘Strong Resistance’
Tehran has rejected the U.S. claim to management. The “Hatam al Anbiya” Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces stated that Iran will not allow U.S. interference in the management of the strait, according to Reuters.
Iran warned that any attempt by the U.S. military to organize transit outside of Tehran-defined routes or without coordination with Iranian forces will meet “strong resistance.” Additionally, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) asserted that regular traffic can only resume if U.S. military interventions in the waterway end, warning that continued interference could trigger larger incidents in the global oil and gas sector.
The Failure of the ‘Secret Agreement’ and the June Framework
The current escalation follows the collapse of a covert arrangement. According to The New York Times, for two months, commercial tankers operated under an undisclosed agreement with U.S. naval forces. Ships turned off their transponders to avoid Iranian detection while U.S. officers provided radio guidance to keep vessels near the Omani coast.
This arrangement allowed traffic to increase between May and June. However, a framework agreement signed by Trump on June 14 allegedly ended this initiative. The New York Times reports that the wording of this agreement provided Iran with official authority over the strait, which critics say legitimized Tehran’s control.
Comparing Transit Strategies
| Strategy | U.S./Allied Approach | Iranian Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Southern route (near Oman) | Territorial waters/Defined routes |
| Cost | Proposed 20% value fee (Trump) | Fees up to $2 million per vessel |
| Visibility | Transponders off (Covert) | Required official permits |
Current Shipping Data and Military Escalation
Maritime traffic has hit a recent low. Kpler tracking data shows only six ships crossed the strait yesterday—the lowest number in five weeks. Notable vessels included the “Humanity,” carrying 2 million barrels of Iranian oil, and the “Captain Andreas,” carrying 500,000 barrels of Kuwaiti petroleum products.
The U.S. Central Command reported a series of precision strikes against dozens of targets in Iran. Simultaneously, the IRGC reported that its fleet stopped two ships in the strait overnight, though the names of the vessels were not disclosed.
Industry Insight: Dan Alameriu, chief geopolitical strategist at Alpine Macro, told The New York Times that while Iran suffers economic losses, it may be willing to endure them. The critical question is whether the Iranian economy or the global economy will collapse first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proposed U.S. fee for the Strait of Hormuz?
President Trump proposed a compensation fee of 20% of the value of all cargo carried through the strait to fund U.S. security operations.
Why did the covert shipping agreement fail?
According to The New York Times, a framework agreement signed on June 14 contained ambiguous language that effectively granted Iran official authority over the waterway.
How is Iran currently controlling the strait?
Tehran requires ships to follow specific routes and obtain permits, and has previously demanded fees of up to $2 million per vessel for guaranteed safe passage.
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