Donald Trump announced plans to reimpose a blockade on Iranian ports and implement toll charges, asserting the US will act as the protector of the Hormuz Strait. The statement was made on Truth Social following a series of attacks between the US and Iran.
Iran reportedly targeted US military sites in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan, while the US retaliated by focusing attacks on Iranian port cities. Trump stated in a Truth Social post that the US will levy fees on ships for safe passage through the Hormuz Strait, emphasizing that the strait will remain accessible to all countries except Iran.
The US will enforce the Iranian blockade, restricting only Iranian ships and customers while ensuring other nations have fair access to the strait. Trump declared the US as the ‘Guardian of the Hormuz Strait,’ indicating that the country will be reimbursed at a rate of 20% on all cargo shipped for expenses related to ensuring safety and security in the region.
Ongoing clashes between the US and Iran have raised concerns about the progress of ceasefire discussions. Negotiations initiated after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two nations aimed to cease hostilities, lift the US naval blockade, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping.
Trump had previously expressed intentions to maintain US influence over the vital waterway that handles a significant portion of global oil and gas exports. He hinted at the possibility of introducing tolls if the ceasefire agreement failed.
Key issues such as Iran’s nuclear program, access to frozen assets, and long-term control of the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved following the MoU signing. Tehran has consistently opposed any proposal granting Washington control of the strait.
Iran’s military command warned the US and its allies against interference in managing the strait, emphasizing a strong response to any disruption of commercial vessel passage. Despite the tensions, both the US and Iran have signaled a desire to avoid a full-scale conflict, attributing the current clashes to disagreements over the MoU terms.
Regional leaders were cautioned against cooperating with the US military, as such actions would be viewed as a threat to Iran’s sovereignty and national security. The US and Iran, while engaged in hostilities, have expressed a mutual interest in preventing a return to all-out war.