Trump Says U.S. Will Control Strait of Hormuz as Iran Fires Back
Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated sharply after U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Washington would take control of security in the Strait of Hormuz and begin charging transit fees to commercial vessels using the strategic waterway.
Speaking earlier, Trump said the United States would assume responsibility for safeguarding maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes. He added that ships passing through the corridor would be required to pay transit fees under the proposed arrangement.
The remarks quickly drew a response from Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, who dismissed the proposal while insisting that Iran has always been the primary guarantor of security in the strait.
“Trump, you have said one correct thing,” Araghchi stated. “Iran has always protected the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran will continue to protect it. Therefore, you should tell everyone that the transit fees belong to Iran.”
The exchange highlights the growing war of words between Washington and Tehran over control of one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints. The Strait of Hormuz carries a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports, making any dispute over its security a matter of international concer
Neither side has indicated any willingness to back down, raising fears that the latest rhetoric could further increase tensions in the Gulf and create uncertainty for global energy markets and international shipping.