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Donald Trump declared that absolutely no maritime fees would be permitted during or after the 60-day window unless they were directly collected by the United States
Despite the fiery rhetoric coming out of Tehran, Washington has flatly rejected Iran’s claims of sovereign authority over the international shipping lane. (File pic/Reuters)
United States President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning that Washington will impose its own maritime tolls on the strategic Strait of Hormuz if a final peace agreement with Iran is not finalised within 60 days. The declaration follows growing domestic political pressure over a newly brokered interim memorandum of understanding with Tehran, which explicitly guarantees toll-free passage through the crucial energy corridor for only a two-month period.
In an assertive statement broadcast across social media from Camp David, President Trump sought to quell rising regional and domestic anxiety regarding whether Iran would be allowed to levy transit fees once the temporary truce expires. Trump declared that absolutely no maritime fees would be permitted during or after the 60-day window unless they were directly collected by the United States. He framed potential American fees as legitimate reimbursement for services rendered by the US military, acting as a “Guardian Angel” to countries throughout West Asia, recovering both past and future operational costs.
Strained Truce and Escalating Regional Friction
The unexpected tariff threat coincides with a highly fragile backdrop as technical-level negotiations get underway in Switzerland. Pakistan and Qatar are acting as central mediators in the high-stakes Swiss talks, which aim to hammer out a comprehensive nuclear deal and resolve the broader regional conflict. High-level delegations, including US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, are converging on Europe to salvage the diplomatic breakthrough.
However, the durability of the temporary arrangement is already facing intense scrutiny. Citing recent Israeli military strikes in Lebanon, Iran’s top joint military command initially declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to vessel traffic, accusing Washington of a clear breach of its geopolitical commitments. Tehran argues that the initial agreement required an immediate cessation of hostilities across all operational fronts.
Maritime Assurances and Economic Stakes
Despite the fiery rhetoric coming out of Tehran, Washington has flatly rejected Iran’s claims of sovereign authority over the international shipping lane. US Central Command confirmed that maritime traffic continues to flow smoothly under heavy Western naval surveillance, noting that dozens of merchant vessels safely transited the strait immediately following the dispute, carrying millions of barrels of oil to global markets.
While Gulf Arab allies remain deeply opposed to any novel maritime arrangements that disrupt traditional freedom of navigation, Trump’s sudden introduction of potential American tariffs adds a complex variable to the negotiations. Diplomats must now balance preventing a catastrophic economic blockade with managing Washington’s aggressive push for cost reimbursement.
About the Author
Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He tra…Read More
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