President Donald Trump announced Monday that the United States will act as the guardian of the Strait of Hormuz and reinstate a blockade [1, 3].
This move targets one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints. By controlling the waterway, the administration aims to secure global oil supplies and protect U.S. strategic interests, while generating revenue to cover security costs [1, 3].
Speaking during a White House press briefing in Washington, D.C., Trump said the U.S. will implement a 20% security fee [1] on all cargo shipped through the strait. "We will be the guardian of the Hormuz Strait and we will charge 20% on all cargo shipped through it," Trump said [1].
The announcement marks a significant escalation in maritime policy. Trump said the United States is reinstating a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz [3]. This action effectively places the U.S. in a position of operational control over the shipping lanes that connect the Persian Gulf with the open ocean.
Iranian officials responded to the announcement. An unspecified Iranian official said Trump's remarks are inconsistent with reality [2].
The administration maintains that the fee is necessary to ensure the safety of the vital shipping lane. The U.S. intends to use the funds to maintain a permanent security presence in the region to prevent disruptions to the global energy market [1, 3].
“"We will be the guardian of the Hormuz Strait and we will charge 20% on all cargo shipped through it."”
The imposition of a 20% security fee and the reinstatement of a blockade represent a shift toward a transactional security model in the Persian Gulf. By treating the Strait of Hormuz as a managed corridor, the U.S. is attempting to monetize regional stability while asserting direct physical control over global oil transit. This policy likely increases the risk of direct confrontation with Iran, which views such maritime restrictions as a violation of international sovereignty.
