Trump says U.S. to be 'Guardian of the Hormuz Strait,' will charge fee for overseeing security of crucial waterway

A satellite image showing the Strait of Hormuz.

With tensions and military strikes against Iran escalating in recent days, President Trump declared on Monday that the U.S. would ensure that other countries' oil tankers will be able to safely travel through the Strait of Hormuz, and suggested that the U.S. would charge a 20% service fee for keeping the strait passable for ships. 

"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," Trump announced on Truth Social. The president's announcement came following remarks made during an interview on Fox News in which he suggested the U.S. would be the "Guardian Angels" of the strait, the critical waterway through which nearly 35% of the world's oil passes.

Trump expressed frustration at the ongoing negotiations with Iran since the ceasefire agreement was signed. Last week, the U.S. revoked a license that would allow Iran to sell oil and collect U.S. dollars, a key point in the ceasefire memorandum of understanding, and launched fresh rounds of attacks on targets in Iran. The military has continued to step up attacks against Iran in the ensuing days, with CENTCOM releasing videos of some of the strikes. 

"It was a done deal, and then they broke it," Trump said in the Fox News interview. "They always break it. We've had 10 deals with these people, and so we're just going to hit them very hard."

Trump also said the U.S. would reinstate the naval blockade of Iranian ports. Iran responded to Trump's announcement, saying, "We will under no circumstances allow the United States to interfere in the management of the Strait of Hormuz," The Wall Street Journal reported.

Below, watch a clip of Trump's remarks on Fox News.