Trump Says No Tolls Through Strait of Hormuz — Unless Imposed by the US
United States President Donald Trump has said there will be no tolls for passing through the Strait of Hormuz, unless such charges are levied by his own country. In a post on Truth Social on Saturday afternoon, Trump stated there would be no tolls in the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire period. ‘There will be NO TOLLS in the Strait of Hormuz for the 60 days during the Ceasefire Period, and there will be NO TOLLS after the 60 day period ends,’ Trump wrote. ‘Unless imposed by and for the United States, if a deal is not reached, for services rendered as Guardian Angel to Middle East Countries for purposes of reimbursement of past, present, and future costs,’ he added.
Since the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on 28 February, Iran has successfully used the Strait of Hormuz as a pressure point, closing the strategic waterway to traffic. However, under the terms of a memorandum of understanding reached on Wednesday, the strait was supposed to be reopened for a temporary 60-day period. During that time, Iran is prohibited from collecting fees from transiting vessels.
Iran’s central military command previously announced it was closing the Strait of Hormuz again, citing Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon. Iran said the Israeli strikes constituted a violation of Tehran’s agreement with the United States. ‘It is hereby announced that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to ship traffic. It should be noted that this first step is a response to the enemy’s breach of promise, and if the aggression continues, further steps will be planned and taken to compel the enemy to comply with its obligations,’ the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters said in a statement broadcast by state television.
Meanwhile, the US military said on Saturday it remained ‘present and vigilant’ in the critical shipping lane after Iran announced the renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz. ‘US forces remain present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are complied with, adhered to, and in full effect,’ US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement. CENTCOM, which oversees US forces in the Middle East, said 55 commercial vessels had transited the strait on Saturday and that ‘safe passage through the international waterway remains intact at this time.’