US to collect 20% charge on cargo through Hormuz as it assumes protector role

President Donald Trump announced on July 13 that the United States will act as the official guardian of the Hormuz Strait, a narrow passage that links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. The administration stated that every cargo ship using the route will be subject to a 20 percent fee, intended to fund the protective duties the U.S. plans to undertake.

The declaration was made via a post on the Truth Social platform, where Trump wrote that the strait will stay open for all nations, but ships owned by Iran or serving Iranian interests will be denied entry. He referred to this measure as a re‑implementation of an "Iranian blockade," limited to Iranian‑related traffic only.

According to the post, the United States will receive compensation for the costs of maintaining security and order in the Hormuz corridor by levying the 20 percent charge on each cargo shipment. The fee is set to take effect immediately, and the administration pledged prompt enforcement.

The announcement intensifies the ongoing dispute between Washington and Tehran. Iran continues to issue warnings against foreign vessels and has occasionally claimed the strait is closed due to unlawful interference. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy recently warned that no ship would be allowed through until U.S. activities cease, while the U.S. Central Command maintains that the waterway remains an international route open to all legitimate maritime traffic.