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Trump threatens to seize Strait of Hormuz, impose 20% transit fee if necessary

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • U.S. President Trump threatened to take over the Strait of Hormuz and impose a 20% transit fee on oil shipments if necessary.
  • This threat comes as Iran announced it was closing the strait again, overshadowing talks between U.S. and Iranian officials.
  • Trump stated that if Iran closes the strait, it will face severe consequences from the U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning on June 21, threatening to seize control of the Strait of Hormuz and levy a 20% transit fee on oil shipments if deemed necessary. This aggressive stance escalates tensions as Iran announced its decision to close the vital waterway once more.

Trump, in a phone interview with Fox News, declared that the U.S. would "take over" the Strait of Hormuz and impose the fee, positioning the U.S. as the "guardian angel" of the region. This move is framed as a response to Iran's repeated closure of the strait, which Iran cited as a reaction to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.

If you close it, there will be no country, you will not go back to that damn country.

— Donald TrumpWarning Iranian officials about the consequences of closing the Strait of Hormuz.

Adding to the diplomatic friction, U.S. Vice President JD Vance was reportedly holding initial talks with Iranian officials following the signing of a memorandum of understanding. However, Iran's announcement regarding the strait cast a significant shadow over these discussions.

Iran must immediately stop their proxies, whom they are paying high salaries in Lebanon, from causing trouble.

— Donald TrumpDemanding Iran cease its support for Hezbollah's actions.

Trump further warned Iranian officials during a call that if they close the strait, "there will be no country, you will not go back to that damn country." He characterized the memorandum as merely an extension of a ceasefire, not a final agreement, and asserted that the U.S. holds leverage, with the freedom to act as it pleases after the 60-day ceasefire expires if Iran does not make serious commitments at the negotiating table.

The president also expressed disappointment with Israel's inability to dislodge Hezbollah from Lebanon, criticizing their military actions as limited to destroying buildings. He reiterated his demand for Tehran to stop its proxies from causing trouble, threatening stronger U.S. retaliation if Iran fails to comply.

If Tehran refuses to do so, the United States will strike Iran again, and the force will only be greater.

— Donald TrumpThreatening further U.S. military action against Iran.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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