Trump Says Middle East States Should Pay U.S. for Protection

U.S. President Donald Trump said that states in the Middle East should provide what he called compensation to the United States for acting as their “guardian angel” and protecting them. In remarks quoted in the article, Trump said there should be no transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days during the ceasefire period, and that no such fees should exist after those 60 days either, unless they are imposed by the United States and on its behalf if the deal is not completed.

Trump framed the demand as payment for services the United States has already provided, and as compensation for past, present, and future costs. The statement appears to refer to U.S. efforts to secure the region and to prevent disruptions in the strategic waterway linking the Gulf to the outside world.

The article does not describe any formal agreement, reaction, or timeline beyond Trump’s warning that the fees would not apply during the 60-day ceasefire window and beyond it unless the U.S. itself imposes them. It presents his comments as a current demand aimed at Middle Eastern countries.