Trump Announces Fees for Guarding Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States will begin collecting payment for guarding the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with Fox News, Trump stated that the US will become the guardian of the strait, having previously provided this service for free, but now wealthy countries will reimburse the costs. He emphasized that the US wants compensation for the work and the risk to American soldiers.

Later, on his Truth Social platform, Trump announced that the US is reinstating the blockade of Iran, meaning that Iranian ships or their clients will not be allowed to enter or exit the strait, while other countries will be granted fair and free passage. The US will officially be called the "Guardian of the Strait of Hormuz" and, for fairness, will receive 20% of the value of all cargo transported through the strait to cover security and defense costs in this volatile region.

The US and Iran resumed hostilities last week, effectively breaking the ceasefire brokered in April. The fighting is primarily centered around the strategically vital waterway. Trump complained about Iran's negotiation tactics, claiming they change agreements after long discussions. He mentioned that an 11-hour meeting the previous day had resulted in a deal, but Iran later demanded unspecified changes.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday that the government is in talks with mediators from Qatar, Pakistan, and Oman to prevent war escalation. Meanwhile, the influential Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims the strait is closed, but the US maintains it is open to maritime traffic and not under Iranian control.