Trump says US reinstates blockade of Iranian shipping in Strait of Hormuz after new clashes

In a statement made on Monday, President Donald Trump noted that the US is reinstating its blockade of Iranian shipping in the Gulf region and that it will ensure that the strait of Hormuz remains open for a price following an exchange of more missiles and drones between the two parties.

This recent hostility occurred against the backdrop of an earlier declaration from Iran over the weekend ‌announcing its closure of the strait, adding doubts on the feasibility of the tentative deal to end the conflict and pushing up the price of oil.

"Hormuz Strait is open and will continue to be open, with or without Iran. The US has reinstated the Iranian blockade," President Donald Trump stated on his platform Truth Social. "USA is from now on going to be called 'The Guardian of the Hormuz Strait'. However, we will get paid for that service at 20% of cargo passing through."

Iran's top joint military command said the US had no role in determining the future of Hormuz and would not be ​allowed to intervene in the strait. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi wrote on X that Tehran was the guardian of the strait and would remain so "forever", adding in response to Trump's comments that: "20% is of course too much. We will be ​fair.

"The United Nations' shipping agency has rejected former US President Donald Trump's proposal to impose fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, saying international law does not support mandatory tolls on straits used for global navigation. Although Trump has floated the idea before, the United States has never implemented such charges, and it remains unclear whether it will act on the latest proposal.

Meanwhile, the US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Centre announced that a blockade would come into effect at 2000 GMT on Tuesday, applying to all vessels regardless of nationality along Iran's entire coastline, including its ports and oil terminals. The centre said neutral transit through the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian destinations would remain unaffected, while humanitarian shipments would be allowed following inspections.

Before the conflict erupted in February, roughly 20% of global oil and gas shipments passed through the strait each day, transporting more than 15 million barrels of fuel. A 20% transit fee, if introduced, could generate an estimated $250 million daily. Iran has also pursued plans to establish its own permanent permit and fee system for vessels using the waterway.

The conflict continues to intensify, with thousands reported killed, primarily in Iran and Lebanon. The US Central Command said its forces targeted an Iranian submarine and ship maintenance facility on Sunday using one-way attack drones. Iran's state news agency IRNA, citing a local official, reported that US strikes hit military sites in Qeshm, Bandar Abbas and Abadan, confirming that two people were killed in the attack on Abadan.