Trump Proposes U.S. Control of Strait of Hormuz, Seeks Reimbursement
President Donald Trump announced on July 13, 2026, that the United States intends to take control of the Strait of Hormuz, proposing a 20% toll on all cargo shipped through the strategic waterway. This move follows a series of clashes between U.S. and Iranian forces in the region.
The announcement has been met with strong opposition from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which argues that U.S. military interventions are the primary obstacle to restoring regular shipping traffic through the strait. The IRGC warns that continued U.S. presence could lead to further disruptions in the global oil and gas sector.
Shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz has significantly declined, with MarineTraffic data indicating a 52% reduction in ship movements from July 10 to July 12. The daily average of 120 ships has dropped to just five to six vessels, many of which are navigating along the Omani side with transponders off to avoid detection by Iranian forces.
Both the United States and Iran claim authority over the strait. While Iran asserts that an interim ceasefire grants it the right to set transit terms, the U.S. Central Command maintains that the waterway remains open under U.S. monitoring to ensure continued traffic.