Trump says U.S. to "keep" Strait of Hormuz, impose 20% fee on cargo

President Donald Trump announced Monday that the United States would take control of the Strait of Hormuz and impose a 20% fee on cargo shipments through the waterway, framing the move as a necessary step to secure the strategic passage and recoup costs. The declaration came amid escalating tensions between the U.S. And Iran, which has accused Washington of undermining regional stability and violating an interim agreement to ease hostilities.

Trump told Fox News in a phone interview that the U.S. Would "keep the Strait" and "probably run it," asserting that the nation would act as its "guardian" and demand reimbursement for security efforts. "We'll become the guardian of the strait. Maybe we'll call it the 'guardian angel of the strait,' and we should be reimbursed for that," he said. The president emphasized that other countries, which he did not name, would pay the fee, arguing that the U.S. Had long shouldered the burden of protecting the strait without compensation.

The U.S. Military confirmed it had resumed strikes against Iranian targets, including air-defense systems, radar sites, and missile capabilities, as part of a broader effort to assert control. A statement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) rejected Iran’s claims of dominance over the strait, stating that "Iran does not control" the waterway. The agency also reported that recent attacks on Iran had degraded its ability to threaten commercial shipping, though Iran continued to assert its right to regulate passage.

Iran’s response was swift and defiant. The country’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority declared the strait closed, citing "unrest" and demanding that vessels seek permits through its newly established agency. A senior aide to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mohammed Mokhber, likened the dispute to a historical struggle, stating that Iran would not allow "concessions" to be forced upon it. "Retreating from this important matter has no place in the mind of anyone who loves Iran," he wrote on social media.

The conflict has disrupted global energy markets, with oil prices surging nearly 5% following the latest round of attacks. Benchmark crude reached $79.59 per barrel for Brent and $74.85 for U.S. Crude, reflecting fears of supply chain disruptions. The U.S. And Iran have exchanged repeated strikes over the past week, with Iran targeting U.S. Military facilities in Bahrain and Oman, and the U.S. Retaliating with airstrikes on Iranian infrastructure.

Trump’s announcement reignited debates over the legal and geopolitical implications of U.S. Intervention. Iran has long argued that an interim agreement signed in June granted it authority to manage traffic through the strait, while the U.S. And its allies maintain that freedom of navigation must be preserved. The dispute has also drawn international scrutiny, with the European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, urging respect for "freedom of navigation" and the United Nations Secretary-General warning of "catastrophic consequences" if tensions escalate further.

The U.S. Claims to have reopened the strait via a southern route near Oman, which Iran has repeatedly attacked. Iran, however, rejects this alternative, insisting that its northern route is the only legitimate path. The conflict has also complicated diplomatic efforts, as mediators from Qatar, Pakistan, and Oman struggle to broker a lasting peace. Iranian officials accused the U.S. Of undermining negotiations by "cheating" from the start, while Trump reiterated that Iran had "broken" a deal he claimed was already finalized.

As the standoff intensifies, the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint for regional and global tensions. With oil prices volatile and military exchanges escalating, the dispute underscores the fragile balance of power in the Persian Gulf. The U.S. Has framed its actions as a defensive measure to ensure stability, while Iran has vowed to defend its sovereignty at all costs. The outcome of this confrontation could reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and have far-reaching implications for global trade and energy security.