Trump: We Will Resume the Blockade of Iran and the US Will Be the Guardian of the Strait of Hormuz

Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced in remarks that the United States would reimpose a naval blockade on Iran and that the U.S. would henceforth be known as the “guardian of the Strait of Hormuz.” He also claimed that a 20 percent toll would be charged on vessels passing through the strait. These remarks have drawn international and domestic reactions.

• Donald Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform that the naval blockade on Iran would begin immediately.
• He explained that this measure would only prevent ships and customers associated with Iran from entering or leaving, while other countries would continue to enjoy free and fair access to the strait.
• Trump also claimed that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, whether Iran is present or not.
• Richard Nephew, the architect of sanctions on Iran, said the U.S. charging a 20 percent toll for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz is deeply flawed and a product of Trump’s desperation.
• Following the announcement, global oil prices rose by more than 9 percent.
• The International Maritime Organization (IMO), in a statement, strongly condemned Donald Trump’s remarks about imposing a 20 percent toll on goods passing through the Strait of Hormuz and called them “without any legal basis.”
• A spokesman for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), cited by The New York Times, said they are working on the details and coordination to reimpose the naval blockade on Iran, and that implementation will begin later that day.
• In response to these remarks, Abbas Araghchi wrote on the social media platform X that anyone who provides security and safe passage for commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz deserves to be paid for that service, and that Iran has always safeguarded the security of the Strait of Hormuz and will continue to do so forever.
• Araghchi described Trump’s proposed 20 percent rate as very high and unfair, and said that if Iran were to manage this route, it would set a fair and equitable rate.
• A senior source in the Gulf Arab states told Axios that the United States has not spoken with its regional allies about the issue of a possible toll to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
• A Bloomberg reporter estimated Trump’s profit from the Strait of Hormuz at about $15 per barrel of oil.. Coverage difference: Iranian domestic media have mainly focused on condemning Trump’s remarks and emphasizing Iran’s role in ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz. Some outlets also pointed to international reactions, such as the IMO’s opposition and the rise in oil prices. In contrast, some foreign and international media have paid more attention to the details of Trump’s plan, such as the immediate start of the blockade and the toll collection, as well as the reactions of U.S. allies in the region.