Trump Reverses 20% Hormuz Fee as US Resumes Iran Port Blockade

President Donald Trump has backed away from a planned 20% fee on all shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, replacing the levy with trade and investment arrangements with Gulf states, even as the US moved to resume a blockade of Iranian ports.

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The decision came hours before the United States restarted the blockade, part of an effort to intensify pressure on Iran and weaken what Washington describes as Tehran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the key waterway.

Trump replaces fee with trade and investment deals

Trump said the proposed “United States reimbursement fee” would be replaced by trade and investment deals that Gulf partners would pursue with the US. In comments posted on Truth Social, he did not provide details of how such deals would work but said the investments would be substantial.

The US president also asserted that the strait would remain open to all ship traffic except that involving Iran. He further said oil was moving through the waterway, attributing that to US military power.

Trump previously said the US would act as the “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz and announced the 20% charge on cargo shipments to help pay for protecting the route. He said later that he disliked the fee approach but that it was “not fair” for the US to protect the strait for the world. He also said he changed the plan after receiving calls from Gulf leaders.

US moves back to blockade amid renewed strikes

US Central Command (Centcom) said late on Tuesday that American forces began an additional round of strikes against Iran, aimed at continuing to degrade capabilities Iran uses to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Centcom said earlier in the week it had carried out a third night of attacks for the same purpose. Iran’s state media reported explosions in several cities, including Bushehr, where a nuclear power plant is located.

Iran said it targeted US military facilities in Bahrain and Jordan after previously hitting two oil tankers registered to the United Arab Emirates.

Iran says it retains control as traffic slows

Iran has said it will remain in control of the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting the US approach. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the blockade decision effectively dismantled an earlier truce arrangement between the countries, according to AFP.

The US first imposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports in April to increase pressure on Tehran. About five weeks later, the US military said it had redirected 100 commercial vessels and disabled four ships under the blockade. The US later lifted the measure in June under a memorandum of understanding intended to end the conflict, but differences over control of the strait have persisted.

Shipping data indicates traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed to a two-month low. Brent crude prices have also risen sharply, amid concerns that tanker movement has been constrained.

Iran effectively shut down the waterway after the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on 28 February, despite the strait’s role in global energy flows. The route previously carried about a quarter of the world’s oil and around a fifth of global liquefied natural gas.

Netanyahu warns of stronger response if attacked first

Separately on Tuesday, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s retaliation against Iran would be “much more powerful” if Iran attacks first. He warned Iranian leaders not to expect continued quiet if they strike Israel, speaking in a video posted on social media.

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15 July 2026

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