Trump Floats Daring Plan For Strait Of Hormuz If Iran Talks Falter
President Donald Trump affirmed Saturday that any attempt from Iran to charge tolls for passage in the Strait of Hormuz would derail long-term peace talks between the two sides. He then hinted at a plan to charge tolls in the strait on behalf of the U.S. government through a secured lane off the coast of Oman.
“There will be NO TOLLS in the Hormuz Strait for 60 days during the Cease Fire Period, and there will be NO TOLLS after the 60 day period has expired, unless they are imposed by and for the United States of America, should the deal not be completed, for services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East for purposes of both past, present, and future reimbursement of costs,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Saturday.
The statement followed the signing earlier that week of a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) that established a 60-day interim ceasefire framework. Under the terms of the agreement, the Strait of Hormuz is to remain open to commercial traffic without tolls during this period.
The 60-day window provides time for negotiators to work toward a final agreement, which can be extended if both parties consent. The MOU also includes provisions for the reopening of the waterway, the lifting of a U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports, and the unfreezing of certain Iranian assets.
According to U.S. military reports, following the announcement of the interim agreement, ship traffic resumed, with 55 merchant vessels transiting the strait on June 20 carrying more than 17 million barrels of oil. Vice President JD Vance stated that a record volume of oil had moved through the waterway in the preceding 24 hours.
Iran’s joint military command announced on Saturday that it had closed the strait, citing what it described as a clear breach of commitments by the United States and continued Israeli military actions in southern Lebanon. Iranian officials indicated that full implementation of the MOU would be required before the 60-day period could begin and left open the possibility of future fees or regulatory measures on transit.
U.S. officials disputed the closure announcement and emphasized that commercial shipping continued without interruption.
Trump’s latest comments come as technical-level negotiations between U.S. and Iranian delegations are scheduled to begin in Switzerland. Vice President JD Vance traveled to Switzerland on Saturday afternoon ahead of the talks, which are expected to address implementation of the interim agreement, including issues related to Iran’s nuclear program. U.S. representatives, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are participating alongside Iranian officials and mediators from Qatar and Pakistan.