Tensions soar as Trump orders Iran blockade, proposes levy on Strait of Hormuz shipping.

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States is reinstating a naval blockade on Iran and will impose a 20 percent reimbursement charge on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran claimed it had closed the strategic waterway.

In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump declared that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open regardless of Iran’s actions. He said the U.S. was restoring what he described as the Iranian blockade and would recover 20 percent of all cargo shipped through the strait to cover the costs of maintaining security in the volatile region. He added that the process would begin immediately but did not provide further details.
Speaking earlier during an interview on Fox News’ Fox & Friends, Trump said the United States would likely assume responsibility for securing the waterway, describing the country as the “guardian angel of the strait.” He argued that wealthy nations benefiting from the shipping route should reimburse the U.S. for ensuring its safety rather than expecting America to shoulder the burden alone.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global oil exports, has become a major flashpoint in the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran. Iran announced the closure of the waterway on Saturday following what it called an unauthorized transit and maintained on Sunday that passage would remain suspended until stability returned. The closure has driven up global energy prices and heightened concerns over inflation.
Trump also accused Iran of repeatedly violating agreements, saying previous deals had been broken and warning that the U.S. would respond forcefully. Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said normal shipping could only resume if the United States ended its military operations in the area, cautioning that continued interference could trigger wider disruptions in global oil and gas markets.
Over the weekend and into Monday, U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged missile and drone attacks. Tehran said it targeted U.S. military facilities across the Gulf while keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed, further escalating tensions and casting doubt on an interim agreement reached last month to reopen the waterway and pause hostilities during negotiations. Reuters reported that the latest developments represent a significant escalation in the conflict.