Donald Trump’s shifting demands over how the United States would secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have underscored how hard it is proving to end the war with Iran, which has now dragged on for more than four months.

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On Monday, the president announced on Truth Social that the United States would resume a naval blockade of Iranian-linked shipping and said all vessels passing through the strait, including ships from US allies, would have to pay a 20% fee. Trump said the charges were meant to reimburse the US “for any and all costs” tied to providing safety and security in what he described as a volatile area.

The proposal lasted a day. On Tuesday, Trump withdrew it, instead saying he would pursue “trade and investment deals” with Gulf allies. The message suggested Washington would offer them safe passage through Hormuz in exchange for cooperation on economic arrangements.

Hormuz proposal flips after short run

The abrupt change came as negotiations between Washington and Tehran, temporarily framed by a memorandum of understanding, failed to produce an enduring ceasefire.

The MOU had been meant to put a ceiling on hostilities and set out a path for further talks. Both sides had previously described it as a breakthrough, though key aspects were left for later negotiation.

Trump’s blockade announcement on Tuesday signaled the end of that framework. At 10:16 ET (16:16 BST), the MOU “died” on Truth Social, according to Trump’s post, as he also cited a wave of renewed US military strikes across Iran.

Blockade returns as attacks spread

Iran responded by intensifying attacks on US allies and on commercial shipping in the region. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz again slowed to near standstill, according to the report.

The renewed cycle of fighting followed weeks of stop-and-start diplomacy. Each time a ceasefire appeared to hold, occasional incidents tested the terms, leaving doubts about whether both sides were observing the same understanding.

Although the US had, in military terms, carried out strikes that it said achieved its immediate aims—destroying Iranian ships, aircraft and targets and degrading defence capabilities—the political track remained unresolved. The ability to deny Iran access to the strait was also not automatic, the article said, and without a major escalation by American forces in the region, the US could not fully prevent Iranian pressure on shipping.

Prior “tolls” criticism resurfaces

Trump’s latest Hormuz fee idea was not new, having been floated at various points during the war. But it collided with earlier US messaging from within the administration.

In a statement last month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned an Iranian plan to impose “fees” on shipping through the strait, saying international waterways should not be subject to tolls and referring to existing international law and practice across global routes.

The memorandum’s text had also left room for Iran to play a role in managing the safe passage of commercial vessels through Hormuz. It stated that the Islamic Republic would make arrangements, using its best efforts, for safe passage “with no charge”.

Alongside that language, the MOU included promised investment in Iran and an end to international sanctions. Those elements had been treated by some as inducements aimed at reducing Iran’s incentive to use geography for leverage in the strait. The report said that assessment has proved wrong, at least for now.

Defense Priorities director Rosemary Kelanid said the MOU was effectively undone, with the commitments it described “completely” reversed.

Patience tested on both sides

With the blockade back in place, Iran faces renewed pressure as oil revenue—described as a lifeline for the regime—comes under strain again. Trump, meanwhile, is confronted with a recurring choice: expand the conflict further, or accept an outcome that leaves Iran in place despite the risk that the fighting could restart.

Elliot Abrams, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said the two sides are again asking who can outlast the other, with Iran unable to export oil and the US and other customers dependent on Persian Gulf supply.

The dispute also leaves the underlying issues unresolved, including control of the strait, Iran’s nuclear programme, and Iran’s regional influence. Abrams said there could be room for negotiations over a Hormuz arrangement, but not a return to the earlier memorandum framework.

As the war approaches a fifth month, Trump pointed out that other US conflicts, including the Vietnam War, had lasted for years. The report noted that a prolonged conflict contributed to political damage for Lyndon Baines Johnson, and that Trump’s team is also mindful of the domestic backdrop heading into November’s midterm elections—especially given the concern that higher oil prices would reverse recent improvements in consumer inflation trends. After Trump’s Monday post, the price of a barrel of oil rose nearly 10%, the biggest one-day gain in six years.

With the MOU dismantled and hostilities resumed, the article said the war does not appear closer to resolution than it was in the early weeks of the conflict.

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15 July 2026

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Just leave Iran, as it was before and the Street will be free again.

The remaining bombs you can throw on to Bibi's head

5 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Just leave Iran, as it was before and the Street will be free again.

The remaining bombs you can throw on to Bibi's head

Unfortunately that’s not how they operate they will be attacking soft targets for decades into the future.trump started a truly big mess that affects everyone on our little planet.the hubris of the guy is truly staggering imagine the president of the United States floating the idea of charging protection money from a war he started……just sickens me to my core.thanks MAGGA!

3 minutes ago, Tug said:

Unfortunately that’s not how they operate they will be attacking soft targets for decades into the future.trump started a truly big mess that affects everyone on our little planet.the hubris of the guy is truly staggering imagine the president of the United States floating the idea of charging protection money from a war he started……just sickens me to my core.thanks MAGGA!

Yes, that's what I think. Nobody to stop this nonsense. Tax payer's Money is blowing up, the President turned democracy into a Cleptocracy.

And US's reputation is going down the Jordan. The world is on the edge to be destroyed by incompetent leaders.

In ancient times we got the justified choice of a Tyrannicide.

Let's review some facts.

Iran attacked 7 vessels in UAE and Oman territorial waters, Not the 12 mile from border Iran territorial waters.

7, 8 Persian Gulf bordering countries Need to enter and exit through the Strait.

Iran is attempting to Seize and control Foreign Territorial waters. 12 nautical miles from coast.

Unless the Departure OR Destination country of the known Cargo Flagged Vessels Country is friendly with or Allie with Iran still Dictates to Allow or Restrict transit at ANYTIME. Iran wants to Dictate or restrict 7 or 8 persian gulf countries access to Fuel, Oil sale Profits, Food, Medical, Etc.

Edited July 15Jul 15 by J Branche

14 minutes ago, Tug said:

Unfortunately that’s not how they operate they will be attacking soft targets for decades into the future.trump started a truly big mess that affects everyone on our little planet.the hubris of the guy is truly staggering imagine the president of the United States floating the idea of charging protection money from a war he started……just sickens me to my core.thanks MAGGA!

Try and catch up on the latest news about protection payments. You just made your comment 14 minutes ago so ample time to know what is happening in real time.

1 hour ago, J Branche said:

Let's review some facts.

Iran attacked 7 vessels in UAE and Oman territorial waters, Not the 12 mile from border Iran territorial waters.

7, 8 Persian Gulf bordering countries Need to enter and exit through the Strait.

Iran is attempting to Seize and control Foreign Territorial waters. 12 nautical miles from coast.

Unless the Departure OR Destination country of the known Cargo Flagged Vessels Country is friendly with or Allie with Iran still Dictates to Allow or Restrict transit at ANYTIME. Iran wants to Dictate or restrict 7 or 8 persian gulf countries access to Fuel, Oil sale Profits, Food, Medical, Etc.

If you intend to put timeline on events start from the beginning (root cause). If you do so you’d realise the fact that USA CHOSE to attack Iran. It failed. Trump being personal and thin skinned cannot accept embarrassment and defeat. He’s dragging the entire world down because of he’s butthurt and can’t accept it. So it goes on.

Mistakes are bound to happen in the fog of war, the US has very little experience with operations like this, they have not won a war of any consequence in 81 years, they're already running low on munitions and the expense of this war is up to a billion dollars a day so far. That is money that the cash strapped US just doesn't have to spend. But Don doesn't mind because the idea of adding to the US deficit means nothing to him, he won't be around anyway, and he cares not one iota for the well-being of the average American.

Nobody knows where this war is going to lead, but it was dangerous, it was reckless, it was unnecessary, it could end up lasting years and costing trillions of dollars, and the end result could be another Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Algeria or Egypt, just a few of the misadventures that the US has gotten themselves involved in, in the past few decades.

It might have been better to just let Israel do a surgical strike of the nasty Ayatollahs building, taking him and some top officials out, and letting it play out that way.

They went into this war with an extreme lack of planning at the behest of Trump's buddy in Israel for all the wrong reasons. It was reckless, badly planned, and based on a spectacular level of ignorance and hubris. The Iranians have played Trump to such a mind-boggling degree, and have made him look ridiculous, ill prepared, incompetent and chldish before the eyes of the entire world. And using the drunken Boy Scout Troop leader as SEC DEF is always going to put him at a disadvantage. That's just one of the many hazards of always picking from the bottom of the barrel, but that's just Don.

Unfortunately America and the world is paying a price for this foolishness, gross incompetence, and recklessness.

What the average Trump supporter has to ask themselves is:

1. What has been accomplished by this war?

2. How many of the objectives that were spoken of prior to the war have been achieved?

3. Why has this "two week war" dragged on for over 4 months without an end in sight?

4. Was Trump completely played by Netanyahu and if so why didn't his advisors tell him about that, and if they did why did he refuse to listen?

5. What are the long-term repercussions going to be for the US and the world's economies?

6. Was anything gained on any level?

7. Why did people think that a nation that has not won a warrant 81 years was capable of conducting one successfully?

8. Does the US really need to add to its deficit at this point? I know that's not something that concerns Trump as he added seven trillion during his first term, but it certainly something that should concern the average American.

9. What would be the reaction of the average Trump supporter be if Iran started unleashing attacks on the American mainland, which they very easily could do and which it appears to me they have avoided doing so far based on nothing more than self-restraint, and unlike Trump concern about world opinion.

It would seem to those of us who still possess an open mind and a sense of reason that the US is in an infinitely worse position now than they were prior to the beginning of the war, and the Iranians are in a much stronger position.

Edited July 15Jul 15 by spidermike007

As pundit pointed out, Trump lacks executive brain function. Just random outbursts, yet 'analysts', politicians all over, grade school kids are supposed to act there is some nebulous 'aim' or 'strategy' behind his orders.

There isn't.

If a frog had wings he wouldn't bump his ass so much

1 hour ago, AustinRacing said:

If you intend to put timeline on events start from the beginning (root cause). If you do so you’d realise the fact that USA CHOSE to attack Iran. It failed. Trump being personal and thin skinned cannot accept embarrassment and defeat. He’s dragging the entire world down because of he’s butthurt and can’t accept it. So it goes on.

So, you don't realize there was an initial phase, and I call this Phase 2. Go ahead and pick easy, low hanging fruit and using illogical mindset to Justify Iran's action against other countries Vessels, Not US, Not Israel

5 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Just leave Iran, as it was before and the Street will be free again.

The remaining bombs you can throw on to Bibi's head

What world have you been living in for the past 47 years?

4 hours ago, J Branche said:

Not the 12 mile from border Iran territorial waters.

As specified in the MOU Trump signed regarding the Iranian Strait corridor to be used, not Oman corridor. Then violated by the US.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

the political track remained unresolved.

Trump's conundrum now is how to end the war, be a peacemaker and war winner.

And he can't.

19 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

As specified in the MOU Trump signed regarding the Iranian Strait corridor to be used, not Oman corridor. Then violated by the US.

Thanks for Down voting the review of proven facts above, why now know your motive is to instigate

Donald Trump, King of Pirates.

What a disgrace for a once respected nation.

Edited July 15Jul 15 by Caldera

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

What the average Trump supporter has to ask themselves is:

1. What has been accomplished by this war?

2. How many of the objectives that were spoken of prior to the war have been achieved?

3. Why has this "two week war" dragged on for over 4 months without an end in sight?

4. Was Trump completely played by Netanyahu and if so why didn't his advisors tell him about that, and if they did why did he refuse to listen?

5. What are the long-term repercussions going to be for the US and the world's economies?

6. Was anything gained on any level?

7. Why did people think that a nation that has not won a warrant 81 years was capable of conducting one successfully?

8. Does the US really need to add to its deficit at this point? I know that's not something that concerns Trump as he added seven trillion during his first term, but it certainly something that should concern the average American.

9. What would be the reaction of the average Trump supporter be if Iran started unleashing attacks on the American mainland, which they very easily could do and which it appears to me they have avoided doing so far based on nothing more than self-restraint, and unlike Trump concern about world opinion.

You started with

"What the average Trump supporter has to ask themselves is...."

That is exactly where the crux of the matter lies. There are no fact-based answers from "Trump supporters". Even if they know that they might be wrong, they will never admit it.

Same as the 47th. He is and will be the guardian angel.

Emmm, at least for him and his nearest grifters, and family members.

3 hours ago, cdulaney said:

What world have you been living in for the past 47 years?

You mean the world that includes the criminal, genocidal, expansionist state of Israel?

1 hour ago, ronnie50 said:

You mean the world that includes the criminal, genocidal, expansionist state of Israel?

Off topic Ronnie.

7 hours ago, J Branche said:

So, you don't realize there was an initial phase, and I call this Phase 2. Go ahead and pick easy, low hanging fruit and using illogical mindset to Justify Iran's action against other countries Vessels, Not US, Not Israel

Illogical mindset? 😂😂😂😂 let’s test the logic shall we? USA uses territories around Iran to attack it. That makes them legitimate targets. Iran has shown capabilities to render some of the gulf states uninhabitable but it only targets military sites. Imagine if they used the logic used by USA/isreal. You’d see thousands of civilians dead including sinking of USA carriers. Yes they can do it. But they’re not doing it. Not yet!

10 hours ago, J Branche said:

Let's review some facts.

Iran attacked 7 vessels in UAE and Oman territorial waters, Not the 12 mile from border Iran territorial waters.

7, 8 Persian Gulf bordering countries Need to enter and exit through the Strait.

Iran is attempting to Seize and control Foreign Territorial waters. 12 nautical miles from coast.

Unless the Departure OR Destination country of the known Cargo Flagged Vessels Country is friendly with or Allie with Iran still Dictates to Allow or Restrict transit at ANYTIME. Iran wants to Dictate or restrict 7 or 8 persian gulf countries access to Fuel, Oil sale Profits, Food, Medical, Etc.

10 hours ago, J Branche said:

Let's review some facts.

Iran attacked 7 vessels in UAE and Oman territorial waters, Not the 12 mile from border Iran territorial waters.

7, 8 Persian Gulf bordering countries Need to enter and exit through the Strait.

Iran is attempting to Seize and control Foreign Territorial waters. 12 nautical miles from coast.

Unless the Departure OR Destination country of the known Cargo Flagged Vessels Country is friendly with or Allie with Iran still Dictates to Allow or Restrict transit at ANYTIME. Iran wants to Dictate or restrict 7 or 8 persian gulf countries access to Fuel, Oil sale Profits, Food, Medical, Etc.

Trump tacos every 5 minutes or should I say throws something at the wall hoping it sticks……NEVER take this administration at its word it’s meaningless.NEVER take trump at his word havent you learned by now?and yes I do think Iran is evil and the greatest source of state sponsored terrorist activities on the planet now.The way to fix that is with a coalition of countries NOT by starting a war then demanding protection money for access to trade!!wake up!!most magga folks are patriotic no doubt about it but they have been bamboozled by this grifting man.arrgggg!!!

Hegseth announces joint taskforce with DoJ to target and prosecute press leaks

Even Iran is starting to get concerned about Whiskey Pete's mental health.

Hey, could we get a little more focus on our war with you sir 😳

Edited July 15Jul 15 by SiSePuede419
Focus

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Darkest Don deepens devastating destruction each depressing day.

It is the only thing that he is actually consistent at outside his profiteering billions from his presidency Dictatorship!

2 hours ago, AustinRacing said:

Illogical mindset? 😂😂😂😂 let’s test the logic shall we? USA uses territories around Iran to attack it. Imagine if they used the logic used by USA/isreal. You’d see thousands of civilians dead

Yes in January 2026 Iran killed over 5,000 some estimates around 10,000 Innocent civilians.

I hate War. I hate Military Spending. Unfortunately it's needed to some extent. I'm in the think about how many we can help with reducing the military budget.

And I'm from one of the biggest military areas in the US.

Regarding Trump, I keep reading post Trump said then Trump did, Taco.

We have what 6 years experience learning about him, how he operates, how he is impulsive, wants things done now, his words exit before his brain processes info fully.

Now you know how "THEY" feel in these other countries with similar leadership.

Edited July 15Jul 15 by J Branche

just wait til Iran developes a drone program similar to Ukraine....swarms of relatively cheap drones being built in apts and houses all within a mile or two of the straits...good luck to the USA or any one being able to shoot them all down in a matter of a minute or less from launch til striking a ship....watch a few you tube videos of how far Ukraine has advanced drone capablities to avoid radars, detection, and more being identified and shot down before slamming into an oil tanker a few miles away. It's like being attacked by a thousand fast moving mosquitoes and trying to swat each one with a baseball bat.

Just maybe trump should have actually read a bit , listened to a few generals and weapons experts, studied a map of the actual geography of the straits rather than thinking we are the big powerful USA and we will bomb them back into their caves...problem is they can still make drones and launch them from caves....

Iran will control the straits and there is little to nothing that the USA can do to stop them. Insurance companies are well aware of the risks and of course are not going to provide insurance and no company in their right mind will risk having their ships sunk and lost forever.Huff and puff all you want donald but Iran has the cards and you don't. Idiot.

Edited July 15Jul 15 by pomchop

19 hours ago, J Branche said:

So, you don't realize there was an initial phase, and I call this Phase 2. Go ahead and pick easy, low hanging fruit and using illogical mindset to Justify Iran's action against other countries Vessels, Not US, Not Israel

Politics(Right)

The phase we are in now is the Iran is finding out phase

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

The world has largely viewed the U.S. more favorably than China for years,

More people have favorable views of China than the U.S. in 25 out of the 36 countries

Having lived in Asia for sometime now.

China has EARNED the respect and admiration. They advancements, quality of life improvements, economic improvements has been earned by The Chinese and leadership.

Don't agree with the style and tactics some time but the Results speak for themselves.

Posts with derogatory nicknames, intentional misspellings, or personal remarks will be removed. Spell names correctly for all sides of the debate.

A post with screenshots of news items has been removed as there were no links provided to the sources of information.

https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/trump-leans-toward-expanding-u-s-military-operations-in-iran-6c230462.

Apologies to Warren Buffett, but I just realized this morning that the Iran war is being run out of a church with a casino attached 😀

You go to church to worship the Son of Christ* and his ideology**

And then you exit through the Trump Gift Shop where you can buy Bibles, coins, shoes, Crypto, phones all emblazoned with T-RUMP in fake gold plastic...

Into the Casino where you can place bets on Kalshi, Polymarket, FanDuel Predicts, ProphetX, and Novig for which policy Trump will TACO*** on next that insiders already have on the schedule.

Bank! 💲🧧🏧💰🏦💱🤑🪎💳💸

*Frederick Christ Trump, Sleazy Real Estate Developer, Queens KKK chapter

**Scapegoat Immigrants for all our problems

***Trump Always Chokes Olfactory

12 hours ago, J Branche said:

Yes in January 2026 Iran killed over 5,000 some estimates around 10,000 Innocent civilians.

History

Agree with most of what you say except the innocent civilian bit. Even if true to any extent it does not give USA/isreal justification to attack as their killing of innocent people is higher by orders of magnitude.