Trump reimposes US blockade and demands 20% Hormuz shipping fee

By Aleksandar Brezar Published on 13/07/2026 - 18:34 GMT+2 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp Trump declared the US would collect a 20% fee on all Hormuz cargo as "Guardian of the Strait," flipping the script on Iran's own toll demands, while US forces struck dozens of targets in Iran and the IRGC hit Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Oman in the biggest exchange since the April ceasefire. US President Donald Trump declared the return of a naval blockade on Iranian ports on Monday, saying Washington would impose hefty fees on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz as fighting once again flared over the vital waterway. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT In a counter to Trump, Iran's military command insisted it would not allow the US to "interfere" in the key conduit for oil and gas, while also warning its Gulf neighbours — who have borne the brunt of Tehran's attacks — against cooperating with Washington. The competing claims came as the two sides traded attacks of a scale unseen since an April ceasefire. The US military said it hit dozens of targets on Monday, while Iran's IRGC announced new strikes in response on Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Oman. The Strait of Hormuz was not an issue before the Iran war broke out in February, and passage through it was free. However, Tehran subsequently blocked the waterway and now sees it as essential leverage over Washington. The US has vehemently opposed Tehran's desire to charge tolls in the strait, which international law generally forbids, but on Monday, Trump flipped the script and declared that Washington itself would collect fees. In a post on his Truth Social site, Trump declared that the US would be "known as 'The Guardian of the Hormuz Strait'," and "be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the world". While Iran's ports would again be blockaded, he said, "all other countries will have fair and open use of the strait". The spokesman for Iran's Khatam Al-Anbiya central military command, however, insisted that Tehran "under no circumstances will allow... the United States to interfere in the management" of the strategic waterway. Framework deal 'in crisis' Despite declaring the ceasefire with Iran was "over" last week, Trump has said negotiations aimed at finding a permanent settlement would continue. He told Fox News that there were hours of talks on Sunday, but accused Iranian negotiators of going back on their agreement. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said earlier on Monday that the June framework deal, which formed the basis for the negotiations and lifted the US blockade, was "in crisis". The previous blockade, in place from April to June, cut off Iranian oil exports and threatened a damaging shutdown of the industry. Baqaei said Iran would ignore its obligations under the deal if the US did the same, but nonetheless added that Tehran was continuing talks with mediators from Qatar, Pakistan and Oman in an effort to prevent further escalation. The past week's hostilities have centred on the critical energy trade route, which Iran's Guards say is "closed". On Monday, IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebi accused Washington of endangering global oil and gas supplies by interfering in the strait, saying it "must be held accountable" while insisting on Tehran's sovereignty over Hormuz. Amid the fighting, mediators have been trying to salvage a diplomatic resolution to the war. Pakistan, one of the two key intermediaries in negotiations together with Qatar, expressed "deep concern at escalation in regional tensions", according to its foreign office. Related US launches more strikes on Iran as renewed standoff over Strait of Hormuz intensifiesIran attacks Gulf states to impose its Hormuz battle lines Associate fellow at Chatham House Bader Al-Saif said the escalating attacks would merely delay a permanent agreement. "Both sides want to end the impasse on their own terms, and they are increasingly finding it difficult to do so. Hence the return to and increase in the scale of attacks," Al-Saif said. "That only prolongs what will eventually happen: a negotiated settlement," he added. Bahrain blasts Tehran's 'heinous attacks' Iranian state media reported deaths in the latest US strikes, which it said targeted large areas across the south and west. At least 25 people have been killed in Iran since hostilities resumed on Wednesday, according to a tally based on Tehran's announcements. Iran's IRGC said they had struck US military targets and bases in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait, state media reported on Monday. Air raid alerts sounded in Bahrain, while Kuwait's army said the country's forces were intercepting "hostile aerial targets" on Monday. Jordan's army said it had intercepted four Iranian missiles. Bahrain's military accused Iran of committing "heinous attacks with missiles and drones that target civilians", adding it had shot down a number of Iranian projectiles Monday morning. Iran insists that it only targets US interests in the Gulf, but on Monday afternoon, the spokesman for its military command said that any collaboration by Gulf countries with the US would be considered "an act of war". Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Read more US launches more strikes on Iran as renewed standoff over Strait of Hormuz intensifies Iran buries Khamenei as renewed fighting tests shaky ceasefire deal Iran reports casualties and infrastructure damage after US strikes as tensions in the Gulf rise Iran war Donald Trump Strait of Hormuz