Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will resume blockade measures on Iranian ports and impose a 20% fee on goods transported through the Strait of Hormuz, while the U.S. military launched its third consecutive night of attacks on Iran.
On 14 July 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the United States will reinstate the blockade of Iranian ports and levy a 20% fee on all goods transported through the Strait of Hormuz, following escalating conflict between the U.S. and Iran.
Trump stated on Truth Social that the measure aims to prevent Iranian vessels or their clients from entering or exiting the Strait of Hormuz, while ships from other countries can continue normal passage. The blockade will take effect at 16:00 Eastern U.S. time, or 03:00 Tuesday Thailand time.
Additionally, Trump announced that the U.S. will act as the "guardian of the Strait of Hormuz" and, in fairness, will charge a 20% toll on goods passing through the strait to cover security costs for this critical shipping route, emphasizing that "the Strait of Hormuz will remain open, with or without Iran."
Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) revealed that the U.S. military launched its third consecutive night of attacks on Iran under presidential orders, targeting Iranian military capabilities to threaten commercial and civilian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
It also announced that the U.S. military has reinstated the blockade on maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports since 14 July, while assuring that ships of other countries not violating the blockade will continue normal navigation through regional waters.
Iranian official media reported that the Iranian military struck U.S. military targets in Kuwait in retaliation for U.S. attacks amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded by reaffirming Iran’s continued role as the "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz.
. Source: BBC