Trump plans 20% Hormuz transit fees, challenging Iran's control

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that the United States will impose a 20% charge on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, positioning the U.S. as the waterway's "GUARDIAN." This announcement follows the breakdown of a ceasefire with Iran and a dispute over Tehran's control of the strategic chokepoint.

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The USA 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.

The U.S. stance appears to contradict earlier statements from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who, as recently as June 25, stated that "no country on Earth has the right to charge for the use of international waterways." Trump himself had previously suggested that tolls might be imposed if a deal with Iran failed, writing on social media that "there ​will be NO TOLLS in the ​Hormuz Strait for 60 days during the Cease Fire Period... unless ⁠they are imposed by and for the United States of America."

Trump's latest declaration reverses this position, framing the U.S. charge as a matter of "FAIRNESS" for services rendered as a "Guardian Angel" to Middle Eastern countries, seeking reimbursement for costs. Details on how these charges would be implemented or the legal authority for them remain unclear.

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no country on Earth has the right to charge for the use of international waterways.

This U.S. demand for tolls starkly contrasts with Iran's long-held position. Iran views its control over the Strait of Hormuz, which it shares with Oman, as its primary strategic leverage and a crucial security guarantee. While a recent interim deal suggested Iran would "make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days only," the U.S. interpreted this differently, and with the ceasefire now in tatters, Trump has reverted to his earlier stance of imposing fees.

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There ​will be NO TOLLS in the ​Hormuz Strait for 60 days during the Cease Fire Period, and there ​will be NO TOLLS ​after the 60 day period has expired, ‌unless ⁠they are imposed by and for the United States of America, should the deal not ​be ​completed, for ⁠services rendered as the Guardian Angel to ​the countries of the ​Middle ⁠East for purposes of both past, present, and future reimbursement ⁠of ​costs.