US President Donald Trump has announced the reinstatement of a naval blockade of Iranian ports and the imposition of a 20% charge on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on Truth Social, he declared the US as the 'GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT' and claimed the fee is a matter of 'FAIRNESS' to cover security costs.

Trump stated that the blockade would prevent Iranian ships and customers from entering or leaving the strait, but assured that 'all other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait.' He insisted the waterway 'will remain OPEN, with or without Iran.'

Iranian authorities have rejected US interference in managing the strait. Brigadier General Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for Iran's military headquarters, warned that any cooperation with the US would be considered an 'act of war' against Iran's sovereignty and that 'the flames of war will engulf all the countries of the region' if the conflict spreads.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) criticized the proposed fee, stating there is 'no legal basis through which to introduce mandatory tolls simply to transit through a strait.' The IMO spokesperson emphasized that the organization 'stands firmly against charging fees for passage through straits used for international navigation.'

Tensions escalated after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, prompting Iran to effectively close the strait and retaliate with missiles and drones on Israel and US bases in the Gulf. Oil prices surged as maritime traffic dropped sharply.

Trump's announcement is likely to face pushback from US allies, who would be required to pay the 20% fee. Critics point out that the strait was open and unencumbered before the conflict. Domestically, rising oil prices could become a political liability for Republicans ahead of midterm elections, as Americans question the benefits of the ongoing confrontation.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk