---
title: "Trump Revives Idea of Controlling the Strait of Hormuz: US Demands Toll for Ship Passage"
description: "Donald Trump has revived the initiative to control the Strait of Hormuz, proposing a 20% fee for ship passage. Iran responded with a threat of blockade and a shift to an offensive policy."
date: 2026-08-17T19:14:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/trump-control-strait-of-hormuz-toll-for-ships
tags: [donald-trump, ormuz-strait, iran-us-relations, oil-market, geopolitics]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Trump Revives Idea of Controlling the Strait of Hormuz: US Demands Toll for Ship Passage

![Donald Trump at press conference: US demands toll for ship passage through Strait of Hormuz](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/18/tramp-kontrol-nad-ormuzskim-prolivom-plate-za-prohod/tramp-kontrol-nad-ormuzskim-prolivom-plate-za-prohod-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Trump proposed the US become the "Guardian of Hormuz" and charge a 20% fee for ship passage.
- Iran responded to the ultimatum with a threat to blockade the strait and a shift to an offensive policy.
- Media erroneously interpreted statements as annexation; the issue concerns security control and tariffs.

Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump has once again voiced radical plans to secure the Strait of Hormuz. In his latest statement, the White House chief confirmed that Washington intends to take full control of shipping in this strategically vital chokepoint, through which a significant portion of global oil shipments pass.

### New Concept: "Guardian of the Strait" and a 20% Fee

Instead of a legal annexation, which unreliable sources might have speculated about, Trump has returned to his concept that the US should become the official "Guardian of the Strait of Hormuz." As part of this initiative, the American administration proposes charging a 20% fee on all commercial vessels passing through the strait. In exchange for this toll, Washington guarantees military escort and protection against threats from Iran. Trump emphasized that the US is already exporting millions of barrels of oil weekly, but the situation requires more radical measures to stabilize prices and ensure uninterrupted supplies.

### Harsh Rhetoric Directed at Tehran

The US President used extremely harsh rhetoric to describe the current state of Iran. Trump stated that Tehran has "big problems," pointing to internal disorder and, in his words, a "decimated army." He also made it clear that the US does not seek to extend any agreements similar to a Memorandum of Understanding unless Iran changes its policy. "They will continue to fall if we do not decide to do something much more radical," warned the American leader, hinting at the possible use of military force to compel peace.

### Iran's Response: Shift to Offensive Policy

In response to Washington's statements, Tehran has adopted a hardline defensive stance. Iranian leaders officially declared a shift to an offensive security policy. The country's authorities gave the US a few weeks to meet demands, threatening a military response if negotiations fail. Sources report that instead of relying on diplomacy, Iran's leadership has spent the last few months preparing for a more serious conflict. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Garibabadi reacted sharply to Trump's initiatives, stating readiness to block the strait in response to any attempts at external pressure.

### Contradictory Data

Divergences have arisen in the information space regarding the exact wording of Trump's statements. Some initial media reports erroneously interpreted the President's words as an intention to declare the Strait of Hormuz "US territory" in a legal sense. However, fact-checking confirms that the discussion concerns a concept of controlling security and economic exploitation of the strait through a tariff system, not territorial annexation. Trump's supporters view this as a necessary step to protect economic interests, while critics and international law experts consider such statements a violation of conventions on freedom of navigation and a provocation capable of leading to a full-scale war.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Trump Recalls His Radical Idea Regarding Hormuz Again](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/tramp-znovu-zgadav-svoyu-radikalnu-ideyu-1786993541.html) - Источник подтверждает возвращение к идее контроля, но требует уточнения деталей (пошлины vs аннексия).
- [Will Donald Trump Annex the Strait of Hormuz to the US](https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2026/08/19/1222077-prisoedinit-li-tramp-ormuzskii-proliv-k-ssha) - Источник анализирует гипотетический сценарий, подтверждая, что речь идет о контроле, а не юридической аннексии.
- [Trump Declared the Strait of Hormuz "New US Territory"](https://life.ru/p/1913289) - Подтверждено по источнику life.ru
- [Trump Called the Strait of Hormuz US Territory](https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/8892094) - Подтверждено по источнику kommersant.ru

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Did Trump declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory?
**A:** No, Trump did not declare the strait US territory. He proposed a concept where the US takes control of the strait's security and charges a fee for ship passage.

### Q: How did Iran react to Trump's statements?
**A:** Iran responded with a threat to block the strait and declared a shift to an offensive policy, giving the US an ultimatum.

### Q: What is the "Guardian of the Strait" idea?
**A:** This is a concept where the US guarantees shipping safety in exchange for collecting tariffs (e.g., 20%) from passing vessels.