WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Monday announced the reinstatement of an “Iranian blockade” and proposed imposing a 20% fee on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for U.S. protection of the strategic waterway.
“The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“We are reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving. All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait,” he added.
Trump said the United States would assume responsibility for securing the vital shipping lane and would seek reimbursement from cargo operators using the route.
“The USA will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,’ but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World,” he said.
Trump added that the policy would take effect immediately.
Source: Saudi Gazette