WASHINGTON — President Trump said Monday that the Strait of Hormuz is “OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran,” following a weekend of U.S. strikes targeting regime forces in an effort to safeguard international shipping through one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States was “reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE,” describing it as a measure aimed only at preventing Iranian vessels or Iran-linked customers from entering or exiting the waterway. “All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait,” he wrote.
Trump also declared that the United States would now be known as “THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” adding that Washington would seek reimbursement “at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped” to cover the costs of maintaining security in what he called a highly volatile part of the world.
“The process and formation will begin immediately,” the president added.
U.S. Central Command said late Sunday that American forces had struck dozens of Iranian targets, including missile and drone assets, small boats, coastal radar installations and Tehran’s air-defense systems.
A U.S. naval blockade had previously been put in place during the conflict but was lifted before the signing of a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding with Iran in mid-June.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
