Trump: US may seize Strait of Hormuz, charge 20% fee if necessary

U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric against Iran, stating in a phone interview with Fox News that the U.S. may seize the Strait of Hormuz if necessary and impose a 20% transit fee on oil shipments.

Trump described the U.S. as the "guardian angel" of the Strait of Hormuz and the Middle East, asserting that a 20% fee would be levied on oil carried through the waterway. This statement serves as a response to Iran's previous threats to close the strait.

The president also issued a stern warning to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, advising him to "watch his mouth" and behave, or risk the U.S. taking over "other parts of Iran." Trump recounted a conversation where he told Iranian officials that if they closed the strait, their country would cease to exist.

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If you close it, there will be no country, you won't even go back to that effing country.

Trump further indicated that the current memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran is merely a ceasefire extension, not a final agreement. He claimed to hold leverage, stating he could "do whatever he wants" after the 60-day ceasefire if Iran did not make serious commitments at the negotiating table. He noted that 19 million barrels of oil had passed through the Strait of Hormuz due to this understanding.

Regarding the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Trump expressed disappointment with Israel's inability to dislodge Hezbollah, criticizing their actions as limited to destroying Lebanese buildings. He suggested increasing the role of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to counter Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, believing Syrian ground operations would be more precise.

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You better watch your mouth, behave yourself, or we will take over other parts of Iran.