Donald Trump has announced that the United States will impose a 20% charge on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, claiming the levy will pay for protecting one of the world’s most strategically important waterways after reinstating the US blockade of Iran.
In a dramatic statement on his Truth Social platform, the US President declared that America would become “THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT”, insisting countries benefiting from safe passage should help foot the bill.
Mr Trump said the Strait would remain open to international shipping but warned that the renewed blockade would target only Iranian vessels and those trading with Tehran.
The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran,” he wrote.
We are reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving.
“All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait.”
Mr Trump then unveiled a surprise new policy that would see the US seek reimbursement from global shipping.
The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,’ but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World.
“The process and formation will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The President did not explain how the fee would be collected, whether it would require congressional approval or international agreement, or how Washington intends to enforce the charge on commercial vessels passing through one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
Mr Trump had earlier hinted at the move during an interview with Fox News.
“We’re taking over the Strait,” he said.
“We’ll become the guardian of the Strait. Maybe we’ll call it the guardian angel of the Strait, and we should be reimbursed for that.”
The announcement immediately drew a defiant response from Iran.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) insisted the Strait of Hormuz remains under Iranian authority and accused Washington of violating international norms.
The IRGC said the waterway is “our territory” and vowed it would not allow any country to continue what it described as “illegal interference” in the strategically vital passage.
An IRGC spokesman warned they will “deal decisively with any disruption or insecurity to the passage of commercial and oil tankers... outside of the designated routes of Iran and without the permission of the armed forces”.
Adding that any cooperation with America will amount to an “act of war against the sovereignty and national security of Iran.”
The Strait of Hormuz carries a significant share of the world’s seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas exports, making any disruption to traffic through the narrow channel a major concern for global energy markets.
Mr Trump’s latest announcement is likely to raise fresh questions over freedom of navigation, international maritime law and the potential economic impact of imposing a blanket fee on commercial shipping using one of the world’s most important trade arteries.
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