US Announces Naval Blockade on Strait of Hormuz Starting Tomorrow Night

US President Donald Trump announced that the American military will reinstate a naval blockade on Iran starting tomorrow at 23:00, aiming to increase pressure on Tehran amid escalating tensions. Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open with or without Iran, and the blockade will target only Iranian vessels or their clients, allowing other countries free passage. Additionally, the US declared it will act as the "guardian of the Strait of Hormuz" and impose a 20% fee on the value of all cargo passing through the strait to cover security costs.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded sarcastically, affirming Iran's role as the "guardian of the Strait of Hormuz" and suggesting that while compensation for safe passage is justified, the 20% fee demanded by the US is excessive. He emphasized that Iran has always protected the strait and will continue to do so.

This US decision marks a breakdown of the recent memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran less than a month ago. Alongside the naval blockade, the US has intensified attacks on Iranian military targets, aiming to degrade the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' capabilities along Iran's coast and weaken their leverage in the Strait of Hormuz. Recently, the US Navy has been escorting commercial vessels through the southern part of the strait near Oman's coast, with at least 20 commercial ships passing daily under US coordination.