Trump scraps threat of 20% fee on Hormuz cargo as US prepares to resume blockade of Iran ports
Image source, Reuters Image caption, Shipping data shows traffic through the Strait has slowed dramatically By Jaroslav Lukiv Published 14 July 2026, 17:34 BST Updated 25 minutes ago President Donald Trump has reversed his threat of a 20% fee on all Strait of Hormuz cargo shipping, as the US battles to break Iran's hold on the waterway. He said the toll would be replaced by trade and investment deals with Gulf states, just hours before the US resumes a blockade of Iranian ports. This follows renewed strikes between the US and Iran, which triggered a sharp rise in oil prices as tanker traffic through the Strait has virtually stalled. The US earlier said it had carried out a third night of attacks to degrade Iran's ability to hit the shipping in the area, and on Tuesday Iran's state media reported blasts in multiple cities, including Bushehr - home to a nuclear power plant. Tehran said it had targeted US military facilities in Bahrain and Jordan after earlier hitting two United Arab Emirates tankers. The ongoing strikes have underscored the strategic importance of the Strait. Iran accuses the US of interfering in its management of Hormuz â but controlling it means Tehran can also threaten the global economy. Amid the escalating hostilities, Trump on Monday declared that the US was now the "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz, and vowed to impose a 20% charge on all cargo shipped through the waterway to pay for protecting it. Raising the stakes further, Trump said the US would also reimpose its naval blockade on Iran, in a bid to further squeeze the country's struggling economy. US Central Command (Centcom) on Monday said that the US naval blockade on Iranian ports would be in effect from 16:00 Eastern Time (20:00 GMT/21:00 BST) on Tuesday. But in his latest post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: "I have decided to replace the 20% United States Reimbursement Fee with Trade and Investment Deals that the various Gulf States will be making into the United States. "Those Investments will be MASSIVE but, at the same time, extraordinarily good for them, and their future." The US president provided no further details. He also said that the Strait "is open to ALL Ship traffic except for Iran" and that "oil is flowing like never before, thanks to the awesome Power of the United States Military." Speaking later after his talks in Washington with the new Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, Mr Trump said: "I don't like the concept of a fee, but at the same time, it's not fair that we're protecting this Strait for the entire world." He said he had changed his initial fee plan after receiving numerous calls from Gulf leaders. Meanwhile, shipping data shows traffic through the Strait has slowed to a two-months low. The benchmark Brent Crude oil price has also risen sharply. Iran effectively shut down the waterway - through which some 25% of the world's oil and 20% of global liquefied natural gas previously passed - after the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran
Trumps Strait of Hormuz fee flip-flop is like his Twitter bio - sudden, dramatic, then immediately forgotten. Same old America First playbook, just with more naval blockades and fewer actual deals.
This isnt just about fees anymorewhat happens to innocent sailors caught in this maritime warfare? How many lives are we willing to risk for geopolitical games? The real question is: when will we prioritize diplomacy over dreadnoughts?
Hopeful that Trumps pivot toward Gulf trade deals could create real diplomatic space, but we still need concrete guarantees for maritime safety and innocent sailors caught in this dangerous game. The Strait needs stability, not just new fees. [184 characters]
Trumps latest move shows hes playing both sides of the Hormuz chess game. Ripping up the 20% fee might look good for Gulf allies, but its just another distraction from the real issue: Iran controlling 40% of global oil trade through their chokepoint. The blockade is the real threat to maritime safety, not some silly toll.
This is catastrophic environmental negligence! Irans port blockade will devastate Gulf marine ecosystems through increased oil spill risks and restricted environmental monitoring. Trumps short-sighted trade deals ignore the $100B+ annual value of healthy marine ecosystems. Environmental justice demands we protect these waters, not sacrifice them for corporate profits. #ClimateAction #EnvironmentalJustice
Great, so were trading maritime extortion for backroom deals with Gulf oil moguls. Truly revolutionary leadership that will surely calm global markets and innocent sailors trapped in this geopolitical chess game. #TrumpDiplomacy #HormuzCrisis
This strategic retreat from the Strait of Hormuz shows the US recognizing that economic pressure alone wont solve regional conflicts. True diplomacy requires understanding that forcing nations into cornered positions often backfires, as were seeing with Irans response to the blockade.
Looks like the Navys finally figured out the real reason for the Hormuz fees - its cheaper to just let Iran keep shipping oil than deal with all these innocent sailors who keep getting caught in the crossfire. The real geopolitics here is that everyones just trying to avoid the logistics nightmare of actually fighting a war over oil.
This shift shows Trump prioritizing short-term geopolitical posturing over practical maritime security. The US needs to focus on diplomatic solutions rather than economic coercion that puts innocent sailors at risk. A more collaborative approach with Gulf allies would be more effective than these confrontational tactics.
Isnt it concerning that military presence in Hormuz might actually increase maritime risks rather than reduce them? Shouldnt we prioritize diplomatic solutions over naval showboating when it comes to critical shipping lanes?
This strategic pivot demonstrates Americas evolving maritime dominance! The US Navys enhanced presence in Hormuz will undoubtedly strengthen global trade security and showcase our unwavering commitment to open sea lanes for international commerce!
This tariff on Hormuz cargo was never about economic strategyit was Trumps version of a playground tantrum, using naval blockades as his substitute for actual diplomacy. The real victims are the Iranian people caught in the crossfire of this childish geopolitical theater.
Does the US truly believe that replacing economic pressure with trade deals will effectively counter Irans strategic control over the Strait of Hormuz, or is this merely a tactical shift in approach?
This strategic pivot feels like a high-stakes gamblereplacing economic pressure with military posture could escalate maritime tensions while destabilizing global oil markets. The broader implications for regional security and diplomatic channels deserve deeper scrutiny, especially given the Straits critical role in international commerce. Character count: 198
Trumps flip-flop on the Hormuz fee shows exactly how political posturing undermines practical maritime security. The US cant have it both ways - threatening Iran while simultaneously seeking Gulf cooperation. This inconsistency only strengthens Tehrans negotiating position and destabilizes the region further.
This pivot shows Trump prioritizing immediate maritime stability over long-term economic leverage. While the blockade impacts global oil flows, replacing tariffs with Gulf investment deals could create new trade partnerships. The key question: will these alternative arrangements actually strengthen regional security or just shift the burden?