Trump Cancels 20% 'Protection Racket' Fee Plan in Hormuz, But...

The United States has further escalated pressure on Iran by reimposing a naval blockade on all Iranian ports and launching a new wave of strikes against several strategic areas in the country. The US government announced on Tuesday (14/7/2026) that the maritime blockade against all Iranian ports had been reinstated as part of the latest conflict escalation. The US military also announced the commencement of a new wave of strikes against Iranian targets. “To continue degrading Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz,” the US military said, explaining the operation’s objective. The naval blockade on vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas officially came back into effect at 20.00 GMT, having previously been lifted last June. President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all ships, except Iranian vessels. The US military stated that more than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft are currently operating in the region. Meanwhile, President Trump cancelled a controversial plan to impose a 20 per cent transit fee on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, just one day after the idea was announced. Trump had proposed the levy, arguing that the US provides security protection in the shipping lane. However, the proposal drew sharp criticism from various parties, including the United Nations shipping agency, which rejected any charge on the international waterway. Trump said the US government would instead seek investment deals with Gulf states rather than collect transit fees, adding that several unnamed countries had expressed a desire to invest in the United States rather than pay the tariff. In other developments, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported that US projectiles struck several strategic areas on Tuesday evening. The Bandar Abbas governor’s office stated that US projectiles hit areas around the port city located on the Strait of Hormuz. The Qeshm Island governor’s office also reported that its territory was struck by US projectiles at around 19.00 local time. Separately, Tasnim news agency reported that a US projectile exploded near water and electricity facilities on Kish Island. Responding to the renewed military and economic pressure from Washington, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi insisted his country would not surrender. “If the United States thinks that by tightening measures against us, its military action and economic blockade, we will return to the negotiating table, they are mistaken,” he said in an interview with Iranian state television.