US President Donald Trump has announced a new blockade targeting Iranian ports, saying it will bar “Iran’s ships or customers” from entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump also said the United States will impose a 20 per cent levy on all cargo shipped through the strategic waterway, describing it as a measure to cover the costs of providing safety and security in what he called a “volatile” region.
The announcement comes after Iran has sought to charge tolls for commercial vessels passing the key waterway — which was previously toll-free before the US and Israel unleashed their war on Iran on Feb. 28.
“The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,’ but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World,” he added.
“The process and formation will begin immediately.”
That document stipulated vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz for a 60-day period would not be charged and guaranteed “safe passage” while Iranian and US negotiators hashed out a final deal to conclude the conflict.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialog with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz in discussion with other Persian Gulf or littoral states in line with the applicable international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz,” it stated.
