U.S. President Donald Trump declared himself the "Guardian Angel of the Strait" of Hormuz and vowed to impose a 20% toll on tankers transiting the vital waterway, a move that comes as an Iranian blockade has brought vessel traffic to a standstill. This marks the first time Trump has threatened to impose such a fee, which would be calculated as 20 percent of the cargo's value, to reimburse the U.S. for providing security.
Trump also announced the resumption of blockading Iranian ports, a mission previously aborted as part of a settlement between the two nations. The White House stated the U.S. is "taking over the Strait" and will "keep the Strait." "We will become the guardian of the Strait," Trump said in a live phone-in on Fox News. "We should be reimbursed when we do that – because the other nations are very wealthy and they are on our side. We cannot be expected to do that for nothing, as we have done for many years."
The announcement coincided with ongoing U.S. military action against Iran. U.S. Centcom headquarters reported that fighter jets and aerial attack drones struck "dozens of targets" within Iran. Iran responded by claiming to have targeted U.S. bases in the region, including air defense systems and command centers in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.
However, the United Nations' International Maritime Organisation (IMO) stated that there is "no legal basis" for imposing tolls on international waterways. The proposed fee also appears to contradict previous U.S. public statements. On June 23, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on CBS News that "No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway." In April, Trump himself had said, "We're not going to let Iran make money selling oil to people they like and not people they don't like."
On social media, Trump reiterated his stance, writing, "The Hormuz Strait is open and will remain open, with or without Iran. We are reinstating the Iranian blockade, so named because it is only stopping Iran's ships entering and leaving. All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait. But as such, and as a matter of fairness, will be reimbursed at the rate of 20 per cent on all cargo shipped for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this volatile section of the world."
China is among the nations that would be significantly affected, as Iran supplies over 10% of its oil imports, amounting to more than one million barrels per day. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, responded defiantly, stating, "Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER."
Despite the escalating tensions, peace talks are reportedly ongoing, with Qatar and Oman serving as intermediaries. The developments are also expected to impact global oil prices, with UK petrol prices likely to rise due to higher crude oil costs.
Vessels and shipping containers were seen anchored in Bandar Abbas along the Strait of Hormuz on July 12, underscoring the disruption caused by the blockade.