TEHRAN/WASHINGTON: The United States has announced plans to assume control over security operations in the Strait of Hormuz, introduce a 20% transit fee on cargo, and reimpose a blockade on Iranian ports, marking a significant escalation in tensions with Iran.
The US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Centre stated that the blockade would take effect at 2000 GMT on Tuesday, covering all Iranian ports and oil terminals while allowing humanitarian shipments after inspections. Neutral commercial traffic destined for non-Iranian ports would continue to pass through the strategic waterway.
US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would remain open “with or without Iran” and declared that countries benefiting from maritime security should compensate Washington through a 20% cargo charge. Trump also accused Tehran of violating the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and warned of further military action, including possible strikes on Iran’s fortified Pickaxe Mountain nuclear-related facility.
Iran strongly rejected the US proposal, insisting that Tehran remains the legitimate guardian of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials described Washington’s actions as illegal and warned that any interference in the management of the strategic waterway would be resisted.
Meanwhile, both countries continued exchanging military strikes across the Gulf region, targeting military infrastructure and strategic installations, further heightening concerns over regional stability and global energy security.
