On Monday, July 14, 2026, President Donald Trump announced the reimposition of a naval blockade on Iranian ports and the introduction of new charges on commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This move effectively ends the last remaining concession to Iran under a preliminary peace deal signed less than a month ago at the Palace of Versailles.

Trump stated on his social media platform that while all countries would retain "fair and open use of the Strait," the United States would become "THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT" and seek reimbursement amounting to 20% of the cost of cargo shipped through the strategic waterway in exchange for providing safe passage. In an interview on Fox News, he emphasized, "We guarded the strait for 50 years and never got paid for it," adding that the U.S. wants compensation for the risks to its personnel.

The blockade's return follows failed diplomatic efforts over the weekend to de-escalate tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with both nations appearing close to renewed conflict after recent tit-for-tat strikes. Officials familiar with internal discussions had privately acknowledged the peace deal was collapsing.

Earlier in July, Trump had suggested in an interview with the New York Times that if a comprehensive nuclear deal with Iran failed, the U.S. could become "the guardian of the Middle East" in return for 20% of the region's revenues.

A spokesperson for the International Maritime Agency (IMO), the United Nations body regulating maritime shipping, acknowledged awareness of Trump's announcement but stated there is "no legal basis through which to introduce mandatory tolls simply to transit through a strait." Additional information for commercial mariners will be provided through a formal notice.

Ships continue to sail near the Strait of Hormuz off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates at Khor Fakkan, underscoring the strategic importance of the waterway.

Sources