Trump to restore Iran blockade, charge fees for Strait of Hormuz shipping
US president says Iranian ships and those trading with Iran will be barred, while other commercial traffic will pay a 20% transit fee
Trump said Iranian vessels and ships trading with Iran would be barred from using the strategic waterway, while other countries would retain access under a system that would impose a 20 per cent fee on eligible cargoes.
“We are reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving,” Trump said online. “All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait.”
The US president said the charge would help pay for “any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World”.
As US forces struck Iran for a third consecutive night, Trump argued that the naval blockade had proven effective, particularly when paired with attacks on Iranian military infrastructure.
He also suggested Washington should be compensated for protecting Gulf allies and ensuring the flow of commerce through the region.
“We expect to be reimbursed because we are protecting a very rich part of the world ... Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, they do very well,” Trump said on Monday afternoon.