Trump: U.S. to impose 20% tariffs in Hormuz

President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will impose a 20% tariff on all shipping traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions with Iran.

The announcement comes amid heightened conflict between the U.S. and Iran, which has intensified since a ceasefire began in April. Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed and has warned the U.S. against any interference in the vital waterway.

Trump stated on Truth Social that the U.S. will "keep the strait, and probably run it." He argued that the U.S. has guarded the strait for over 50 years without compensation and intends to be paid for this service. "Now we will guard it and get paid for it, a lot of money," he said.

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We have guarded the strait for 50 years or more. And we never got paid.

In response, an advisor to Iran's supreme leader, Mohammad Mokhber, asserted that Tehran must control Hormuz to prevent being forced to pay tolls to the enemy for passage. He deemed backing down on this issue "unthinkable."

A spokesperson for Iran's military headquarters also warned that Tehran would "under no circumstances allow the U.S. to interfere" with the management of the Strait of Hormuz. The headquarters cautioned regional countries against cooperating with the U.S., suggesting the conflict could engulf the entire region.

Iran claims its recent actions are responses to U.S. attacks, with officials stating they will continue this pattern if promises are not kept. The U.S. military's Central Command has signaled its intent to guarantee freedom of navigation, but Iran's Revolutionary Guard has maintained that the waterway remains closed. Iranian state television reported that the Revolutionary Guard fired warning shots and stopped two vessels attempting to pass through the strait illegally.

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Now we shall guard it and get paid for it, a lot of money.