President Donald Trump announced the immediate reinstatement of a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and a new cargo toll in the Strait of Hormuz.
The move targets one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints, potentially disrupting global energy markets and escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Trump said the U.S. will become the "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz [1]. As part of this strategy, the administration is imposing a 20% [1] cargo charge on ships transiting the waterway. The president said this fee is necessary to provide safety and security to the region [3].
The announcement occurred on July 13, 2026 [4]. The blockade specifically affects Iranian ports, aimed at increasing pressure on the Iranian regime [1].
Reports on the implementation of the toll vary. While the president announced the charge immediately, other reports indicate there will be no Hormuz tolls during a ceasefire [5].
Trump said the measures are designed to secure the region. The 20% [1] toll applies to shipping vessels that wish to pass through the strait while the U.S. maintains its role as the primary security provider, a move that shifts the economic burden of transit onto the shipping companies themselves.
“The United States will become the "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz.”
The reinstatement of the blockade and the introduction of a transit fee represent a shift toward an aggressive economic and military posture in the Persian Gulf. By monetizing the security of the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. is leveraging its naval superiority to create a financial deterrent against Iranian activities while simultaneously attempting to fund regional security operations through private sector tolls.
