Key facts
- President Trump announced the US will reinstate a blockade on Iran's ships in the Strait of Hormuz and impose a 20% fee on cargo.
- The UN's shipping agency opposes fees for passage through international straits.
- Iran's foreign minister stated Tehran will remain the guardian of the Strait of Hormuz and agreed with compensation for safe passage but deemed the 20% fee too high.
- Iran's military command warned it will confront unauthorized US transit and cautioned regional countries against cooperation.
- Experts suggest securing the Strait of Hormuz may require tens of thousands of US ground troops.
US President Donald Trump announced the United States would reinstate a blockade on Iran's ships in the Strait of Hormuz and impose a 20% fee on all cargo transiting the waterway. Trump stated the US should control the strait and be reimbursed for its role as "guardian angel."
However, the UN's shipping agency opposes fees for passage through international straits, contradicting Trump's plan. Iran's foreign minister stated Tehran will remain the guardian of the Strait of Hormuz and agreed with compensation for safe passage but deemed the 20% fee too high. Iran's military command warned it will confront unauthorized US transit and cautioned regional countries against cooperation.
Experts suggest that restoring oil tanker traffic in the vital Middle East shipping corridor to pre-war flows may require a much larger US military presence, potentially including tens of thousands of American troops on Iranian soil. Iran has demonstrated capabilities to disrupt shipping with drones and missiles.