Trump Demands Gulf States Pay for Navigation Security in the Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Gulf states to pay a financial fee in exchange for the United States’ assurance of maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump stated in remarks at the White House that the United States seeks compensation for protecting a very wealthy part of the world, saying, “We will receive compensation for protecting ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”

Trump said yesterday that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open, whether with Iran or without it, and that the United States will reimpose a naval blockade on Iran.

He added in a post on his official account on the social media platform Truth Social that Washington would reinstate a blockade on Iran “which would prevent only Iranian ships or those dealing with Iran from entering or leaving, while all other countries would enjoy fair and open use of the strait.”

Trump affirmed that the United States would be known as the “guardian of the Strait of Hormuz,” but that, in that capacity and out of fairness, it would collect a 20 percent fee on all shipments passing through the strait to cover all costs required to carry out the mission of ensuring safety and security in this “highly volatile part” of the world.