President Donald Trump announced Monday that the United States will take control of the Strait of Hormuz and reinstate a naval blockade on Iranian ports [1].
This move marks a significant escalation in maritime strategy and economic pressure, targeting one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints. The decision to control the waterway could disrupt global energy markets and alter the geopolitical balance in the Middle East.
Trump said the U.S. must act as the "guardian of the Strait" to ensure safe passage amid escalating attacks [2]. As part of this strategy, the administration will impose a 20% toll on eligible cargo passing through the waterway [3].
According to Trump, the revenue generated from these fees will fund the reinstated blockade and the ongoing operations required to secure the region [2]. The announcement on Monday, July 13, 2026, signals a return to aggressive naval containment of Iran [4].
"We are reinstating the naval blockade on Iranian ports and will charge a 20% toll on eligible cargo," Trump said [5].
The plan has already met with international resistance. A spokesperson for the International Maritime Organization said the agency opposes any fees on ships passing through maritime waterways [6]. The organization maintains that such tolls conflict with established international shipping norms.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Oman and Iran, serves as the primary artery for oil exports from the Gulf. By asserting control and implementing a fee, the U.S. aims to leverage the geography of the region to isolate Iranian ports, and reimburse the cost of U.S. naval presence [5].
“"The United States will be the guardian of the Strait."”
The imposition of a transit toll and a naval blockade represents a shift from traditional deterrence to active economic and territorial management of a global commons. By treating the Strait of Hormuz as a controlled zone, the U.S. is challenging the principle of free navigation in exchange for a security-funded model. This could lead to increased shipping costs globally and heighten the risk of direct military confrontation between the U.S. and Iran.
