The conflict between the United States and Iran is escalating over control of the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump has announced a resumption of maritime blockades against Iran while continuing airstrikes for the third consecutive day. He stated that cargo passing through the strait would incur a 20% fee under the pretext of ensuring safety.
On July 13, U.S. Central Command reported conducting airstrikes against Iran for five hours, targeting coastal defense facilities, missile and drone bases, and naval assets in southern Iran. The Central Command described the operation as aimed at weakening Iran's ability to attack commercial vessels.
In a conservative radio interview on 'The Hugh Hewitt Show,' Trump declared, "We will hit Iran very hard tonight and tomorrow." He specifically mentioned 'Pickaxe Mountain' near the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, stating, "We will eliminate it." Pickaxe Mountain is believed to house deep underground tunnels, potentially related to nuclear activities, although it was not included in the targets of the recent airstrikes.
Additionally, Trump announced a maritime blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, set to resume on July 14 at 4 p.m. Eastern Time, or July 15 at 5 a.m. Korean Time. This blockade will affect vessels entering Iranian ports and coastal areas, regardless of their nationality. Ships traveling in areas unrelated to Iran will still be able to pass through the Strait.
This blockade comes less than a month after the U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to lift previous restrictions. The MOU's key conditions included the free passage of vessels and the lifting of the U.S. blockade. However, ongoing attacks on commercial vessels by Iran and U.S. airstrikes have effectively nullified the agreement.
Trump characterized the MOU as a "test" to confirm Iran's willingness to comply. He stated, "The MOU was a step before reaching a final agreement," adding that Iran did not respect that test.
Trump referred to the U.S. as the 'guardian of the Strait of Hormuz' and announced that all cargo passing through the strait would be subject to a 20% fee. He argued that the U.S. should be compensated for protecting wealthy regions. However, he did not clarify how the 20% fee would be applied to cargo prices or transportation costs, nor who would collect the fees.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has stated that imposing fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz is not permissible. The U.S. has previously criticized Iran's proposal for tolls as a violation of international law, raising questions about the consistency of U.S. policy as it seeks to implement similar charges.
In response, Iran has vowed not to relinquish control over the strait. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated, "Iran is the guardian of the Strait of Hormuz and will continue to be," adding, "20% is too high. We will act fairly."
Military retaliation has also occurred, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Defense Ministry reporting that Iranian cruise missiles attacked two of its tankers while they were passing through Omani waters. One Indian crew member was killed, and eight others were injured in the attack.
The escalation of hostilities has led to a surge in international oil prices. On July 13, Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) both rose by over 9%, reaching their highest levels in about a month amid concerns that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could persist.
Meanwhile, Trump is scheduled to deliver a national address on July 16 at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, or July 17 at 10 a.m. Korean Time. The speech is expected to address the potential attack on Pickaxe Mountain, the duration of the maritime blockade, and the implementation of the shipping fees.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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