Trump Threatens to Halt Negotiations if Iran Levies Fees in the Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump threatened on Wednesday to halt negotiations if Iran imposes fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The statement came after Iran assured Washington that it would not levy tolls, insurance fees, or other charges on vessels transiting the strait. “Iran has informed the US that, despite fake news reports stirring up trouble and stating otherwise, there are no ‘tariffs, insurance fees, and other charges of any kind being requested or received by Iran from ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz’. If this information turns out to be false, negotiations will end immediately!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. Trump also denied speculation that Washington had channelled funds directly to Tehran. “Additionally, no money has been given to Iran, or released to them from Iranian funds, by the US,” Trump wrote. He added that the White House could release a portion of Iranian assets under US control for the purchase of agricultural products, including corn, wheat, and soybeans, exclusively from American farmers. “We will release a portion of their funds, which are completely under our control, for our Farmers and Ranchers, for the purchase of Corn, Wheat, Soybeans, and more. We will buy it for them exclusively from the United States,” Trump said. Trump’s statement came a day after Iran and Oman issued a joint statement affirming their commitment to ensuring the security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Both also agreed to continue discussions to reach an understanding on the future management of navigation in the strait and related service “fees” for tariff collection. Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported on Tuesday that only a small number of ships are allowed to pass through the strait daily based on coordination with the Navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to Fars, the Strait of Hormuz had been closed for several days following “hostile” actions by Israel against Lebanon and US “violations” of its commitments under a recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the US and Iran, which forms the basis for a 60-day roadmap towards a final peace agreement.