Trump restores Iran blockade, announces 20% fee on all Strait of Hormuz cargo

President Donald Trump has moved to assert total U.S. maritime dominance in the Persian Gulf, announcing a return to a full naval blockade targeting Iranian vessels and their customers. According to a statement issued via TruthSocial and reported by multiple outlets on Monday, the new policy takes effect immediately. The blockade is specifically designed to prevent the entry and exit of ships owned by Iran or linked to Iranian clients, while allowing other international traffic to proceed without restriction.

The 'Guardian' Fee

In a significant shift in maritime policy, the United States will now charge a 20% fee on the value of all cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Trump justified the levy as a necessary measure to cover the operational costs of the U.S. mission to secure the route. Under the new designation of 'Guardian of the Strait of Hormuz,' the U.S. military is expected to oversee the flow of goods through the chokepoint, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.

Strategic Context

The move follows a period of intense kinetic confrontation. According to material reviewed by The Zioneer, the decision comes after the collapse of prior diplomatic understandings and a series of U.S. airstrikes against Iranian strategic infrastructure. While the U.S. maintains that the strait will remain open to global trade, the imposition of a 20% fee represents a massive intervention in global shipping economics. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has previously insisted on its own authority over the waterway, setting the stage for a direct challenge to the new U.S. mandate.