Trump: The Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Open, With or Without Iran's Presence

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that the United States is reinstating the “blockade of Iran” and that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open, with or without Iran. He also announced that the U.S. will henceforth be the “guardian of the Strait of Hormuz” and will charge 20 percent of the value of all transit cargoes as a fee to ensure security in the region. These remarks drew mixed reactions, including a rise in oil prices and opposition from the International Maritime Organization.

• Donald Trump claimed that the blockade of Iran is being restored and that this blockade will only prevent Iranian ships or those of its customers from entering or leaving.
• He emphasized that all other countries can use the Strait of Hormuz freely and fairly.
• Trump announced that from this moment on, the United States will be known as the “guardian of the Strait of Hormuz.”
• He added that, to carry out the mission of securing the Strait of Hormuz, 20 percent of the value of all passing cargoes will be charged as a fee.
• According to an initial estimate by Bloomberg columnist Javier Blas, this figure is equivalent to about $15 per barrel of oil.
• Trump said the process of implementing this plan and establishing its mechanism will begin immediately.
• Reuters reported that oil prices jumped 5 percent following the news of the renewed blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, with Brent crude rising above $80 per barrel.
• CENTCOM, citing a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, said that the maritime blockade against Iran will begin later today and that it is working on the details and coordination needed to reimpose the maritime blockade against Iran.
• A senior Gulf source told Axios that the U.S. had not raised with its regional allies the possibility of collecting tolls to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
• The International Maritime Organization said it was awaiting more details about Trump’s remarks and opposed imposing tariffs on passage through any strait used for international navigation.
• The organization stressed that there is no legal basis for imposing mandatory tolls for passage through any strait.. Coverage difference: Some media outlets, such as Etemad, Shargh, Didban Iran, Khabar Online, Rooydad24, Shargh newspaper, and Etemad newspaper, fully covered Donald Trump’s quotes and the details of his plan, including charging a 20 percent fee on passing cargoes. In contrast, Hammshahri newspaper referred only to Trump’s “delusion,” while Khabar Fori and Akhbar Fori, in addition to covering Trump’s remarks, also addressed the reactions and consequences of these claims, including the rise in oil prices, the position of the International Maritime Organization, and CENTCOM’s statements.