Trump Says U.S. Will Guard Hormuz Strait, Hike Cargo Fee
With tensions over the Persian Gulf and digital finance both on his mind, Trump declared the Strait of Hormuz would stay open and said the United States would act as the “guardian” of the waterway while charging for the mission. He also urged the Senate to pass the Clarity Act, warning that China could seize control of emerging financial technology and artificial intelligence. The posts blend hard-edged foreign policy rhetoric with a familiar appeal to American dominance and competition with Beijing.
Hormuz Strait and Iran Blockade
ForeignPolicyTrump said the Strait of Hormuz would remain open “with or without Iran” and announced what he called a new “Iranian blockade” aimed at stopping only Iranian ships or customers. He also said the United States would serve as the “Guardian of the Hormuz Strait” and be reimbursed 20% on cargo shipped to cover security costs.
The post signals a highly assertive, quasi-enforcement approach to one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, framing U.S. power as both protective and transactional. By casting the Strait as something America will police and bill for, Trump reinforces a familiar message that allies and global commerce should pay for U.S.-provided security. It also escalates the Iran confrontation rhetorically without describing a conventional military operation, which may be designed to project strength while leaving room for ambiguity about implementation.
“The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran.”
“the U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as “THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,”