President Donald Trump delivered a warning to Iran on Sunday via the Abu Ali Express channel, stating in his 'own special way' that there will be no tolls collected for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The remark reaffirms his previous position rejecting any Iranian fees, amid a series of conflicting statements from Tehran and Washington over the strait's status.
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a fresh warning to Iran on Sunday evening via the Abu Ali Express channel, stating in his 'own special way' that no tolls will be collected for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The message — relayed just after 00:00 Jerusalem — comes hours after The Zioneer reported on Saturday (Jun 20, 22:18 Jerusalem) that U.S. officials told Axios they had seen no evidence of an operational Iranian blockade, even as the IRGC had formally declared a closure. Trump himself had earlier that evening ruled out tolls for 60 days and stated the strait would be fully open by Friday, before now issuing this direct warning.
Saturday's thread — three versions published at the same time (Jun 20, 22:18 Jerusalem) — showed the administration's position hardening: first Trump said no tolls for 60 days, then clarified no tolls would apply even after that period, and finally U.S. officials revealed there was no evidence of an actual Iranian closure. The new Sunday warning appears to escalate the rhetorical posture from a policy statement to a direct ultimatum, though no enforcement mechanism or specific consequence for non-compliance was mentioned.
As The Zioneer reported on Jun 13–20, the backdrop includes conflicting claims: Iran's Foreign Ministry has insisted it continues collecting fees, directly contradicting Trump's position, while journalist Barak Betesh (i24NEWS) noted on Jun 15 that Iran may have merely switched to an insurance fee instead of a direct passage toll. Trump's earlier declaration on Jun 15 that the strait would be 'fully open by Friday' and his Jun 10 assertion that 'as far as Iran is concerned, it is finished' after 200 tankers crossed under U.S. escort, framed the evolving standoff.
What remains open: The warning's precise delivery mechanism (via the Abu Ali Express channel, an unofficial messaging platform) and whether it represents an official policy shift or a personal expression of Trump's stance. No Iranian response to Sunday's message has been reported.
4 developments
- StrongIranian Foreign Ministry spokesman: toll collection in Strait of Hormuz continues, contradicting Trump
- DevelopingIranian Negotiating Team Member Warns: 'You Will Pay at Hormuz — That Is Final'
- ConfirmedTrump: Strait of Hormuz transit still requires Iranian coordination
- DevelopingBarak Betesh (i24NEWS) scrutinizes Trump’s claim on toll-free Hormuz, noting Iran switched to insurance fee instead
Source and signal
- Internal intake