U.S. to resume naval blockade against Iran as Trump announces 20% shipping charge

The U.S. military will resume its naval blockade against Iran, according to President Trump and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Trump also said the U.S. will seek reimbursement at a rate of 20% on cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM said Monday that the blockade will take effect at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday and apply to vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas. Other maritime traffic will be allowed to continue through regional waters.

“The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran,” Trump said in a social media post. “We are reinstating the IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving.”

Trump said the U.S. will become known as the “Guardian of the Hormuz Strait” and should be reimbursed for the cost of protecting commercial traffic. He said the charge will amount to 20% on all cargo shipped but did not explain how it will be calculated or collected.

The U.S. previously imposed a blockade against Iran from April 13 to June 18. During that period, CENTCOM said more than 140 vessels complied with orders to change course, while nine ships that refused to comply were disabled.

Mariners operating near the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman have been advised to monitor navigation warnings and contact U.S. naval forces.

The decision follows renewed fighting between the U.S. and Iran after Tehran attacked several commercial vessels traveling through the strait. In a letter to Congress, Trump said Iran carried out the attacks despite signing a memorandum of understanding that called for the safe passage of commercial ships.

U.S. forces began striking targets inside Iran on July 7, including missile launch sites, air defenses, maritime assets, military support infrastructure and command-and-control facilities. Iran retaliated by launching missiles at what it claimed were several U.S. bases in neighboring Middle Eastern countries.

The price of Brent crude oil rose sharply following Trump’s announcement, climbing $7.15, or 9.4%, to $83.16 per barrel.