Trump Announces Fees for Strait of Hormuz Transit
Donald Trump has said the US will start charging ships using the Strait of Hormuz to cover the cost of “providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the world”. Insisting that the vital waterway was “open”, the president also said the blockade of Iranian ports would be reimposed.
Mr Trump said levying a fee on vessels transiting the strait was “a matter of fairness”, but was likely to spark outrage given the sea route had been open before the conflict launched by the US and Israel on February 28. The move comes amid an escalating stand-off between Washington and Tehran over the Gulf channel, which has seen both sides exchange fire.
Iran Attack and US Response
The latest clash came after Iran attacked a container ship on Sunday in the strait. Iran claims it controls the waterway, while this is disputed by the US and other countries, which highlight international law on freedom of navigation.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said: “The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran. 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.”
US as 'Guardian of the Strait'
He added: “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. The process and formation will begin immediately.”
Ending Tehran’s stranglehold on the sea route, which disrupted global oil and gas supplies and drove up fuel and food prices, had been a key demand in previous negotiations. However, the initial deal reached between the US and Iran only provides for safe, toll-free passage of the waterway for 60 days, pending the outcome of a final agreement on Tehran’s disputed nuclear plans.
Future Administration of the Strait
The pact also leaves it to Iran and Oman, in conjunction with other Gulf states, to “define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz”. In the meantime, Iran has continued to try to exert leverage over the channel, including demanding ships seek permission to transit and raising the spectre of future charges.
