US President Donald Trump has announced the reinstatement of the naval blockade against Iran and declared the United States the 'Guardian of the Strait of Hormuz,' according to an interview with Fox News and a post on Truth Social.

Trump stated that the blockade would target only Iranian ships and customers. 'The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as 'THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,' but as a matter of fairness, will be reimbursed at a rate of 20% on all cargo shipped,' he wrote.

The latest exchange of attacks between the US and Iran threatens to derail ceasefire negotiations. Both sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in June, but the current hostilities risk collapsing the agreement.

Iranian officials have firmly rejected any US control over the strait. Iran's armed forces command warned that any US interference would be met with a forceful response, and cooperation with the US would be considered an act of war.

Analysts report a drastic decline in commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz following the recent attacks, reversing the surge seen after the June MoU.

Source: www.aljazeera.com