Inside the 24-hour sprint to convince Trump to drop plans to toll Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump's unexpected plan to impose tolls on the Strait of Hormuz sent shockwaves through Gulf allies and even his own administration, sparking an urgent international effort to reverse the decision. Several sources familiar with the matter revealed to CNN that the abrupt announcement on Monday ignited a 24-hour sprint by officials attempting to convince the president to abandon the controversial demand.

The move came as a surprise because it followed months of internal deliberations where the idea had reportedly been met with significant opposition. The sudden public declaration, however, bypassed these ongoing discussions, creating a diplomatic crisis that required immediate attention.

Details surrounding the intense 24-hour period highlight the challenges of navigating foreign policy decisions within the Trump administration. The scramble involved numerous high-level aides and diplomats working against the clock to de-escalate the situation and prevent potential geopolitical repercussions from the proposed toll, which could have impacted global oil transit.