On Monday, July 13th, 2026, President Donald Trump announced that the United States is reinstating a naval blockade on Iranian ports and vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump declared the U.S. will be known as "THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT" and stated that other countries will be charged a 20% fee on all cargo shipped through the waterway to cover the costs of providing safety and security to this volatile region.

Speaking on Truth Social, Trump said, "The U.S.A. 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."

He emphasized that the blockade targets only Iranian ships or customers, stating it is "so named because it is only stopping Iran's ships or customers from entering or leaving." Trump assured that "all other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait," which will remain open "with or without Iran."

In a phone interview on Fox News, Trump added, "We're going to keep the strait, and we'll probably run it. When we do that, we're going to be reimbursed, because the other nations are very wealthy; they're on our side, and we can't be expected to do that for nothing." He also noted that the U.S. had guarded the strait for over 50 years without compensation, while other nations profited.

This announcement follows Tehran's recent claim of closing the vital waterway and suspending passage after an unauthorized transit. Iran's Revolutionary Guards responded by stating that the only way to restore regular shipping traffic is to end U.S. military interventions in the area, warning that continued interference could escalate incidents in the global oil and gas sector.

The situation marks a significant escalation in tensions, casting doubt on a recent interim U.S.-Iranian agreement aimed at reopening the strait and halting hostilities.

Sources