President Trump expressed strong disapproval of Iran’s recent actions concerning the management of the Strait of Hormuz following the onset of a two-week cease-fire, asserting, “This is not the deal we agreed upon!”
On Thursday, Trump took to Truth Social, criticizing Iran’s performance in managing oil traffic through the crucial maritime passage, labeling it as “very poor” and suggesting some might even call it “dishonorable.”
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery through which 20% of the global oil supply flows daily, has nearly been shut since the United States and Israel commenced “Operation Epic Fury” with their initial strikes on Iran on February 28.
In the past 24 hours, only nine ships traversed the strait, a significant decrease from the typical daily traffic of 60 vessels, as reported by the Hormuz Strait Monitor.
According to NBC News, merely three oil tankers, each subject to US sanctions, have navigated the strait since the temporary cease-fire began on Wednesday.
Among these, one tanker was transporting one million barrels of oil, another remained unloaded, while no specific details were available regarding the third vessel.
Tehran agreed to reopen the Strait under the 10-point ceasefire plan, which Washington described as “workable,” but Iranian officials have claimed they plan to charge vessels $2 million to pass through, the New York Times reported.
They said the money would be used to rebuild infrastructure damaged by the US and Israel.
Trump warned Iran to stop charging vessels if it is doing so.
“There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait — They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!” he snapped.
Trump’s blistering rebuke came after he didn’t rule out a US-Iran toll collection joint venture.
“We’re thinking of doing it as a joint venture,” Trump told ABC reporter Jonathan Karl when probed.
“It’s a way of securing it — also securing it from lots of other people. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Trump previously claimed there was “big money” to be made after securing the ceasefire – boasting it could lead to what he branded The Golden Age of the Middle East.
Shipping experts have warned how a toll booth system in the Strait could set a dangerous precedent.
“Freedom of navigation has always been recognized, including specifically in straits,” maritime expert Philippe Delebecque said.
“The concern is if the Strait of Hormuz could be closed, then why not the Strait of Gibraltar between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, or the Strait of Malacca off Indonesia?”
Julien Raynaut, the head of the French Association of Maritime Law, said if Iran introduces a tollbooth, then China could roll out similar restrictions when it comes to the Taiwan Strait.
With Post wires.
