Trump Revives Iran Blockade, Plans Hormuz Fee

On July 13, 2026, President Donald Trump said the United States would reinstate a naval blockade on Iranian ports and asserted that the Strait of Hormuz is open and will remain open with or without Iran. He declared that the United States would act as the "GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT" and announced that a fee "at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped" through the waterway would be charged to cover the costs of providing security in the area.

Trump described the measure as the reinstatement of an "Iranian blockade" focused on stopping Iranian ships or their customers from entering or leaving. He said the process and formation of the new arrangements would begin immediately, framing the 20% charge as reimbursement for ensuring safety in what he called a very volatile section of the world.

U.S. Central Command stated that U.S. forces would enforce a blockade line and that the blockade would resume at 16:00 ET on July 14. It urged mariners operating in and around the Strait of Hormuz to monitor broadcasts and maintain contact with U.S. naval forces. The command indicated that vessels complying with instructions would be supported, while those violating the blockade could be subject to interdiction.

CENTCOM also released video and statements describing recent strikes that used aerial drones, naval vessels and one‑way surface drones to degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping. These actions were presented as part of broader efforts to secure the shipping lanes at a time of heightened tension and risk in the region.

The U.N. International Maritime Organization said it "stands firmly against charging fees for passage through straits used for international navigation" and stated that there is "no legal basis" for introducing mandatory tolls solely for transiting a strait. Maritime‑law experts cited in coverage similarly indicated that such charges would conflict with established international navigation law.

Iranian officials rejected the U.S. move. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote that Iran "has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait" and called Trump’s proposed 20% figure "of course too much," adding that Iran "will be fair." Iranian military statements warned Gulf states against cooperating with the U.S. measures, signaling resistance to the planned enforcement regime.

Data from maritime analytics firm Kpler showed sharply reduced ship movements through the Strait of Hormuz after recent attacks, with 14 ships recorded on Sunday compared with pre‑war averages cited as more than 130 per day. The Joint Maritime Information Centre and UK Maritime Trade Operations said the maritime security threat level remained "severe," advising mariners to expect a sustained naval presence and enforced protection measures in the area.

Financial markets reacted quickly to the announcement and the deteriorating security picture. News outlets reported that oil prices rose following Trump’s statement about the blockade and proposed transit charge, while major U.S. stock indexes declined. The combination of legal objections, regional pushback and elevated security risks left key questions open about how the 20% fee might be implemented and how shipping patterns will evolve.