President Trump announced the U.S. is reinstating its blockade on Iran and will impose a 20% charge on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of a return to full-scale war after a shaky June ceasefire.
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Key facts
- Trump says the U.S. will reinstate its blockade on Iran, according to the BBC and NPR.
- Washington plans to impose a 20% charge on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, per the BBC.
- The move follows a third consecutive weekend of U.S.-Iran fire exchanges, according to NPR.
- A shaky ceasefire between the two sides took effect in June, NPR reports.
- The Strait of Hormuz is a major oil-shipping route and a focal point of the conflict, according to CNBC.
President Donald Trump has said the United States will reinstate its blockade on Iran and charge ships a toll to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a move that threatens to reignite open conflict between the two countries. The announcement was reported on July 13 by multiple outlets, including the BBC, NPR and CNBC.
According to the BBC, Trump said Washington will impose a 20% charge on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is described by CNBC as a major oil-shipping route and the epicenter of the U.S. and Israel’s ongoing war with Iran.
NPR reported that the decision comes after the U.S. and Iran exchanged fire for the third weekend in a row, raising the specter of a return to all-out war. The two sides had agreed to a shaky ceasefire that took effect in June.
The U.S. and Iran are fighting for control of the Strait of Hormuz, according to NPR, with the renewed blockade and proposed tolls marking an escalation after last month’s ceasefire agreement.
NPR also reported that the U.S. struck Iran after Trump announced the renewed blockade and tolls in Hormuz, underscoring the volatility of the situation as the confrontation intensifies.
The combination of a reinstated blockade, a new cargo toll and fresh military exchanges signals a sharp deterioration in relations, with sources describing the current environment as threatening a return to full-scale war.
Why it matters
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important oil-shipping routes, so a blockade and a 20% cargo toll could ripple through global energy markets and trade. Renewed fighting after a June ceasefire also raises the risk of a wider war involving the U.S., Iran and Israel.
Frequently asked questions
What is Trump proposing for the Strait of Hormuz?
According to the BBC, Trump says the U.S. will impose a 20% charge on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz and will reinstate its blockade on Iran.
Why is this happening now?
NPR reports the move follows a third consecutive weekend of U.S.-Iran fire exchanges, coming after a shaky ceasefire that took effect in June.
Why does the Strait of Hormuz matter?
CNBC describes it as a major oil-shipping route and the epicenter of the U.S. and Israel's ongoing war with Iran.
Timeline
- Trump scraps threat of 20% fee on Hormuz cargo as US resumes blockade of Iran ports
BBC World: Trump drops a 24-hour-old vow to charge cargo ships for using the Strait as the US continues its battle to break Iran's hold on the waterway.
- U.S. strikes Iran before Hormuz Strait blockade restarts
CNBC Top News: President Donald Trump has said the U.S.-Iran ceasefire is over following multiple flare-ups of hostilities in the region.
- Trump scraps threat of 20% fee on Hormuz cargo as US prepares to resume blockade of Iran ports
BBC World: Trump drops a 24-hour-old vow to charge cargo ships for using the Strait as the US continues its battle to break Iran's hold on the waterway.
- Trump withdraws Hormuz tolls threat but says US will continue to blockade Iran
The Guardian World: US hits targets in port cities of Bushehr and Bandar Abbas while Iran targets Bahrain and Jordan in retaliation Middle East crisis live – latest updates Donald Trump has backed down from a threat that ships would have to pay a 20% fee to the US for “security” in the strait of Hor
- Trump reinstates Iran port blockade and vows 20% charge on cargo passing through Hormuz
BBC World: The US president also says Washington will impose a 20% charge on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Trump says U.S. reimposes a blockade on Iran and charges a toll on ships
NPR News: The move comes after the U.S. and Iran exchanged fire for the third weekend in a row, raising the specter of a return to all-out war after a shaky ceasefire took effect in June.
- Trump says the U.S. will reinstate its blockade on Iran and charge a toll on ships
NPR News: The move comes after the U.S. and Iran exchanged fire for the third weekend in a row, raising the specter of a return to all-out war after a shaky ceasefire took effect in June.
- Trump says the U.S. is back to blockading Iran and will charge ships a toll in Hormuz
NPR News: The U.S. and Iran are fighting for control of the Strait of Hormuz, threatening a return to all-out war after agreeing to a ceasefire last month.
- Trump says the U.S. will blockade Iran again and charge ships a toll in Hormuz
NPR News: The U.S. and Iran are fighting for control of the Strait of Hormuz, threatening a return to all-out war after agreeing to a ceasefire last month.
- The U.S. strikes Iran after Trump announces a renewed blockade and tolls in Hormuz
NPR News: The U.S. and Iran are fighting for control of the Strait of Hormuz, threatening a return to all-out war after agreeing to a ceasefire last month.
- Trump proposes 20% toll on cargo through Strait of Hormuz; restarts Iran blockade
CNBC Top News: The Strait of Hormuz is a major oil-shipping route and the epicenter of the U.S. and Israel's ongoing war with Iran.