Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the United States will assume the role of "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring safe passage for commercial ships and receiving a 20 percent reimbursement on all cargo for this service.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump made this announcement in a social media post, revealing plans to reinstate the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports. This action comes amid ongoing disruptions to commercial traffic in the strait, a vital route for oil, natural gas, and other commodities amidst the Middle East conflict. Trump emphasized that the U.S. will ensure the strait remains open for international use, with the blockade specifically targeting Iranian ships and their customers.
In his post on Truth Social, Trump stated, "The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran. We are reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran's ships or customers from entering or leaving. All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait." He further explained that the U.S. will be reimbursed at a 20 percent rate on all cargo shipped, covering the costs of providing security to this critical region.
Trump also elaborated on the U.S. strategy during a Fox News interview, expressing that the country will "keep" and "run" the strait. He suggested that the U.S. could be likened to a "guardian angel" of the strait, reinforcing the idea of receiving compensation for maintaining control over the passage.
The assertion of increased U.S. involvement in the Strait of Hormuz comes as Iran continues to exert influence over the waterway. The Trump administration has consistently highlighted the strategic importance of maintaining free and safe passage through this international corridor.