President Donald Trump stated there will be no fee for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, hours after an Iranian negotiating team member warned that payment would be exacted. The fresh salvo deepens the public rift over maritime access as indirect talks continue. The Zioneer has reported that earlier on the same thread, Trump warned Iran in his 'own special way' and an Iranian official insisted tolls would be collected.
President Donald Trump explicitly rejected the Iranian negotiating team member's warning that transit fees would be collected for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, hours after the warning was delivered. The fresh salvo deepens the public rift over maritime access as indirect talks continue.
This development follows a thread of escalating contradictions over the strait's status. At 22:18 on Saturday Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported Trump's initial position that no tolls would apply during a 60-day ceasefire. By 00:20 Sunday, Trump warned Iran via the Abu Ali Express channel — a message the desk described as delivered in his 'own special way' — that tolls would not be collected. At 01:03 Sunday, i24NEWS quoted an Iranian negotiating team member insisting: 'You will pay at Hormuz — that is final.' Trump's latest statement, issued Sunday morning, directly rebuts that warning.
Earlier on the thread, U.S. officials told Axios they had seen no evidence of an operational Iranian blockade, contradicting the IRGC's formal closure declaration. Vice President Vance stated the strait is 'really open.' As The Zioneer reported, journalist Barak Betesh (i24NEWS) noted that Iran may have merely switched from a passage fee to an insurance fee, a formulation reportedly agreed upon with the U.S.
It remains unclear whether either side is describing an actual operational change at the strait or a negotiating posture. The conflicting statements have not yet been accompanied by verified changes in maritime traffic patterns.
6 developments
- DevelopingTrump: Without a deal, US military actions could shut Hormuz for extended period
- StrongTrump: US and Iran close to 60-day ceasefire deal, Strait of Hormuz to reopen
- DevelopingTrump warns Iran to reach deal within 60 days
- DevelopingIranian Negotiating Team Member Warns: 'You Will Pay at Hormuz — That Is Final'
Source and signal
- Internal intake