Trump Declares US as 'Guardian of Hormuz Strait,' Demands 20% Fee on Cargo

US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will act as the "guardian of the Strait of Hormuz," ensuring the waterway remains open regardless of Iran's cooperation. Trump stated that the US is reinstating what he called the "Iranian blockade," targeting only Iranian ships or those trading with Iran, while other nations will enjoy free and fair access to the strait. He declared on his social media platform Truth Social that the US will charge a 20% fee on all cargo passing through the strait to cover security costs.

This announcement comes amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran in the Persian Gulf region. Trump revealed in a Fox News interview that an 11-hour meeting with Iranian representatives ended with Iran requesting changes to previously agreed terms, which he described as typical Iranian negotiation tactics. He claimed that prior agreements with Iran had been reached but were later violated by them.

Regarding military actions, Trump emphasized that the US responds forcefully to Iranian drone attacks, calling the Iranian actors "a bad group of people." He also stressed that the US will no longer bear the financial burden of regional security alone, stating that after 50 years of doing so for free, the US now expects reimbursement for its efforts and the risks to its personnel.