President Donald Trump has announced the resumption of a maritime blockade on ships traveling to and from Iranian ports. He also proposed a 20% charge on the value of cargo for civilian vessels passing through the Hormuz Strait in exchange for safety assurances.
On July 13, Trump stated on social media platform Truth Social, "The Hormuz Strait is open whether Iran is there or not," and confirmed the reimplementation of the blockade against Iran.
This move indicates a return to the maritime blockade that was lifted last month following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran. The aim is to exert pressure on Iran's oil exports and maritime trade by controlling ships entering Iranian ports.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is coordinating the specific procedures for enforcing the blockade. U.S. naval vessels are expected to participate in controlling ships traveling to and from Iranian ports.
Trump stated that ships not associated with Iran would be allowed to transit the Hormuz Strait. However, he mentioned that the U.S. would charge a fee of 20% on the value of the cargo carried by these vessels in exchange for ensuring navigation safety.
Details regarding the specific targets for the toll, the criteria for its assessment, the entities responsible for collection, and the implementation timeline have not been disclosed. It remains uncertain whether the U.S. can effectively collect 20% of the cargo value.
This announcement has sparked controversy, especially since the U.S. has previously criticized Iran's plans to impose tolls in the Hormuz Strait. Last month, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, "No country can impose tolls or fees on international waterways."
As the U.S. moves to resume the blockade and impose tolls simultaneously, backlash is anticipated not only from Iran but also from major trading nations that utilize the Hormuz Strait. The likelihood of U.S.-Iran tensions returning to levels seen before the MOU has increased.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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