Iran Standoff: US To Charge Ships 20% for Safe Strait of Hormuz Passage

President Donald Trump on Monday announced that the United States would begin charging commercial vessels a 20 percent “safe passage” fee for transiting the Strait of Hormuz. He said the levy would cover the cost of American military efforts to keep one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes open amid escalating tensions with Iran. The […]

President Donald Trump on Monday announced that the United States would begin charging commercial vessels a 20 percent “safe passage” fee for transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

He said the levy would cover the cost of American military efforts to keep one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes open amid escalating tensions with Iran.

The proposal, unveiled in a post on Trump’s Truth Social platform, came alongside his declaration that Washington was “reinstating” a naval blockade on Iran following a fresh collapse in negotiations between the two countries.

Trump argued that the United States had borne the burden of protecting international shipping in the strategic waterway and should therefore be reimbursed by countries and shipping companies benefiting from the route.

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“The United States will be reimbursed for providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the world,” he said, adding that the US would serve as the “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz.

The announcement marks the latest escalation in months of confrontation between Washington and Tehran over control of the narrow waterway.

The passage is responsible for about one fifth of the world’s oil and a significant volume of liquefied natural gas are transported daily.

Any disruption there has immediate consequences for global energy markets.

The crisis dates back to the outbreak of the current US-Iran conflict earlier this year, when Iran imposed restrictions on shipping through the strait following American and Israeli military operations against Iranian targets.

The United States subsequently launched naval and air operations to guarantee freedom of navigation, insisting that commercial shipping should not be obstructed.

Iran however maintained it had the right to regulate passage through waters under its control.

Since then, several commercial vessels have reportedly come under attack or faced restrictions.

Insurance premiums for ships operating in the Gulf have risen sharply, and oil prices have repeatedly spiked over fears of prolonged supply disruptions.

In June, the two sides agreed to a 60 day diplomatic framework brokered by regional mediators to reduce hostilities and negotiate wider issues, including maritime security and Iran’s nuclear programme.

However, disagreements over implementation of the ceasefire, access to the Strait of Hormuz and continued military exchanges steadily eroded the agreement.

The latest breakdown followed renewed missile and drone attacks over the weekend, with both Washington and Tehran accusing each other of violating the terms of the agreement.

Trump’s latest declaration effectively signals that the United States now intends not only to secure maritime traffic but also to recover the financial cost of maintaining that security through transit charges imposed on vessels using the route.

The proposal is also seen as Washington’s response to earlier Iranian efforts to introduce its own transit fee system for ships passing through the strait, a move the US rejected as illegal and sanctionable.

Iran has rejected Trump’s latest announcement, insisting the United States has no legal authority to administer or collect fees from vessels using the international waterway.

Tehran maintains that any unilateral attempt to enforce such charges violates international maritime law and warned that further American actions could deepen instability across the Gulf.

Questions have been raised over whether Washington could legally enforce the proposed levy without broader international backing.

Analysts say the proposal could significantly affect global trade if implemented.

The Strait of Hormuz serves as the principal export route for crude oil and natural gas from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and parts of Iran.

Additional transit costs would likely increase freight rates, insurance costs and ultimately fuel prices worldwide.

For now, Trump’s announcement remains a policy proposal.

It is unclear when the 20 percent safe passage fee would take effect, how it would be collected, whether major shipping companies and US allies would comply, or how Iran might respond if Washington attempts to enforce the measure.