Former National Security Adviser John Bolton criticized a proposal by President Donald Trump to control the Strait of Hormuz for a fee.
The dispute highlights a rift in strategic approaches toward Iran and the management of critical global shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf. Such a proposal would represent a fundamental shift in how the U.S. secures international waters.
Speaking on MSNBC’s "MS NOW" program with host Stephanie Ruhle, Bolton addressed the suggestion that the U.S. would control the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a 20% [1] fee. Bolton said the idea was "not strategic thinking."
Bolton argued that the proposal is ineffective because of the current state of the Iranian government. He said that "Iran is too weak to make a peace deal."
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most strategically important chokepoints, as a significant portion of the world's oil passes through the narrow waterway. Bolton's critique suggests that attempting to monetize the security of the strait lacks a coherent geopolitical foundation.
According to Bolton, the notion that the U.S. could simply implement a 20% [1] fee for control is disconnected from the reality of regional power dynamics. He said that the focus should remain on strategic pressure rather than transactional arrangements that Iran is unable to support through a formal agreement.
“"Not strategic thinking."”
This disagreement underscores a tension between transactional diplomacy and traditional strategic containment. By rejecting the fee proposal, Bolton argues that the U.S. cannot treat geopolitical stability as a commercial service, particularly when the opposing party, Iran, is viewed as lacking the stability or strength to enter into a binding peace agreement.
