President Donald Trump said the U.S. government will not accept a proposal from Iran to impose tolls on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz [1].
The rejection comes as the U.S. views such fees as a threat to free navigation and a catalyst for increased global shipping costs. Because the strait is a primary artery for international oil transit, any restriction or monetization of the passage could disrupt global energy markets, and harm international trade [2, 3].
Speaking during a Bloomberg Daybreak Europe broadcast from London on Friday, Trump said the proposal was unacceptable [1]. "Tolls on the Strait of Hormuz are unacceptable and will not be tolerated," Trump said [1].
The White House supported this position in a separate statement issued from Washington. A spokesperson for the administration said that Iran's attempt to monetize the Hormuz passage is a direct attack on global commerce [2].
The tension remains high as the two nations navigate a volatile conflict. Trump said the U.S. is prepared to take action to ensure the waterway remains open to international traffic. "We will hold Iran accountable for any disruption to the free flow of oil," Trump said [3].
The U.S. position emphasizes the principle of free navigation in international straits, a cornerstone of maritime law that prevents coastal states from charging transit fees for innocent passage. The administration has signaled that it will not negotiate on terms that allow Iran to control the financial costs of shipping in the region [2, 3].
“"Tolls on the Strait of Hormuz are unacceptable and will not be tolerated."”
The rejection of the toll proposal suggests that the U.S. is prioritizing the stability of global energy prices and maritime law over a negotiated settlement with Iran. By framing the tolls as an attack on commerce, the administration is positioning the dispute not just as a bilateral conflict, but as a defense of international trade norms, potentially seeking broader diplomatic or military support from other shipping nations.
