President Trump said the United States would take control of security operations in the Strait of Hormuz and seek compensation for maintaining safe passage through the vital energy route. He announced the reinstatement of a blockade targeting Iranian-linked shipping while insisting the waterway would remain open to commercial traffic.
Trump proposed that ships passing through the strait could face a 20% charge to cover US security costs, arguing that Washington should not bear the expense of protecting a route heavily used by other nations, according to Reuters.
The announcement comes amid a sharp escalation between the US and Iran, including military strikes, retaliatory attacks, and renewed disputes over control of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. The tensions have increased concerns over energy markets and shipping security.
A New York Post analysis estimates that President Trump’s proposed 20% toll on commercial cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz could generate between $176 billion and $194 billion annually, based on pre-war shipping volumes. The proposal is intended to help offset the cost of US naval operations protecting one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. While the plan could produce significant revenue, experts say major legal, diplomatic, and practical questions remain about how such a toll could be enforced.
