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Commentary

Trump Says the US Is the Hormuz Strait Guardian, Will Charge 20 Percent Fee

Date: July 14, 2026

Instead of paying Iran $1 million per ship, Trump wants 20 percent of cargo.

Guardian of the Strait

The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran. We are reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving. All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait. The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as “THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World. The process and formation will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP

Jul 13, 2026, 8:16 AM

Average Fee Under Trump vs Iran

The EIA says the average tanker carries around $150–180 million in oil. That would make the US Guardian Fee $30 million to $36 million.
Iran wants to collect $1 to $2 million.

The Guardian Reimposes a Blockade with Fees

The Wall Street Journal reports Trump Says He Is Reimposing the U.S. Blockade of Iran

Trump asserted that the strait remains open under American protection and said the U.S. would charge 20% of every cargo as compensation for its costs. He didn’t detail how that would work but said procedures would be formulated immediately.

“The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,’” the president said.

Data firm Kpler, which tracks ships via satellite imagery and other data, said confirmed traffic through the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend fell by more than half from the previous weekend, to just 19, similar to levels that prevailed before the preliminary peace deal was signed. Most ships used the channel approved by Iran or clandestine routes, while traffic through the corridor near Oman backed by the U.S. dried up, Kpler said.

Analysts say taking over Hormuz militarily would require a substantial ground invasion or a risky naval operation. Trump so far has decided against that route, which risks high U.S. casualties.

Trump’s memorandum of understanding with Iran was aimed at opening the Strait of Hormuz diplomatically to ease pressure on the global economy. It initially pushed oil prices down sharply, but also set off a test of wills that has escalated into regular exchanges of fire.

The root of the dispute is Paragraph 5, which says Iran will make arrangements to restore shipping through the strategic waterway and then work with Oman to determine how to administer it in the future. But it also includes an Iranian pledge to ensure safe passage and remove military obstacles such as mines.

Reflections on Fees

In the Fox News Video Trump says the US will become the “Guardian Angel of the Strait” and “We should be reimbursed for that.”

“The other nations are very wealthy and are on our side. We can’t be expected to do that for nothing.”

“We guarded the strait for 50 years and never got paid for it.”

How Many Countries Would Pay the US 20 Percent?

I believe none.

Instead, assume they all will. The price of oil at the pump would immediately go up by 20 percent.

Trump’s fee proposal will soon provoke international outrage.

We have gone from no fees to a $1 million fee to 20 percent cargo fee by the US that amounts to $30 million to $36 million.

Iran is laughing.

I would say that Trump has lost his mind, but that happened long ago.

Looking Ahead Three Things