President Donald Trump announced the immediate reinstatement of the US naval blockade on Iran and said the United States will charge a 20% fee on the value of all cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump declared that the strait 'is open and will remain open whether Iran likes it or not' and said the US will be called the 'Guardian of the Strait of Hormuz'. The new policy takes effect immediately, according to a statement from the president.
President Donald Trump's latest statement on Monday evening specified a 20% fee on all cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the most concrete detail yet in a rapidly unfolding thread. The announcement, which follows the reinstatement of the US naval blockade on Iran earlier today, took effect immediately, with Trump declaring the US would be known as the 'Guardian of the Strait of Hormuz' and that the strait 'is open and will remain open whether Iran likes it or not.'
The first reports of the blockade emerged at 17:21 Jerusalem, when The Zioneer reported Trump's initial announcement on Truth Social citing continuous airstrikes as justification. Minutes later, at 17:27, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded, insisting it maintains authority over the strait. A subsequent bulletin at 17:45 confirmed Trump's announcement and added that the US would charge management fees, though the percentage was not disclosed until now. The 20% figure is a significant escalation that could affect global shipping and energy markets, as about 20% of the world's oil transits the strait.
The development follows a background of escalating tensions over the strait. As The Zioneer reported on Sunday, July 12, Iran rejected proposals regarding the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the US to re-impose sanctions and renew the naval blockade. Trump had previously warned Iran against imposing tolls, as The Zioneer reported on June 20, and threatened to 'blow the sh*t out of' Iran over the strait, as reported on June 22. The 20% fee is a new element that goes beyond earlier warnings.
It remains unclear how Iran and the international community will respond to the fee and the blockade. The IRGC's earlier insistence on its authority over the strait suggests direct confrontation is possible, but no further statements from Tehran have been reported since the 20% fee was announced.
7 developments
- StrongUS military says it will enforce blockade on Strait of Hormuz later today
- DevelopingReport: Trump demands immediate, non-phased reopening of Strait of Hormuz and end to naval blockade
- DevelopingIRGC insists on Strait of Hormuz authority after Trump declares US as 'guardian'
- ConfirmedUS military maintains blockade on Iranian ports until Friday deal signing; Strait of Hormuz remains closed
Source and signal
- Internal intake