President Trump declared the United States the “Guardian of the Hormuz Strait” on July 13, announcing a 20% fee on all cargo passing through the waterway. The move came alongside a pledge to resume blocking Iranian vessels starting July 14-15, with US Central Command tasked with enforcement.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly 20% of global oil and natural gas trade.
What actually happened and why it matters
Trump’s announcement was framed as covering “security and protection costs” for keeping the strait open to non-Iranian vessels. The US has maintained a military presence in the Persian Gulf for decades, but explicitly charging for safe passage marks a sharp departure from the traditional role of guaranteeing freedom of navigation.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the 20% charge excessive and reasserted Iran’s historical guardianship over the waterway. The two nations have been locked in escalating military tensions since March 2026, which have already disrupted shipping logistics in the region.
