Arabic version: ترامب يقترح فرض رسوم لعبور مضيق هرمز بعد الحرب

President Donald Trump has suggested that the United States might implement a toll for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz following the war with Iran. This proposal indicates a potential shift towards direct US military control over the strategically vital waterway.

In a statement made on Monday, Trump expressed reluctance to allow Iran to charge fees for maritime passage. He stated, “What about us charging tolls? I’d rather do that than let them have them. Why shouldn’t we? We’re the winner. We won,” highlighting his stance on US dominance in the region. According to Al Jazeera, Trump has maintained that Iran has been militarily defeated, despite ongoing Iranian drone and missile attacks.

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf to the Indian Ocean, is crucial for global oil transport, with about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passing through it before the war. Trump emphasized that any agreement with Iran must include the reopening of the strait for free oil traffic.

Reports indicate that Iran has already begun charging fees for certain vessels permitted to navigate the strait. Iranian officials, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, have suggested that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-war conditions.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also called for new protocols to ensure safe passage through the waterway after the conflict, indicating a desire for arrangements that protect Iran’s interests. Meanwhile, the White House has hinted at a plan for Arab nations to cover US costs related to the war against Iran.