Trump Threatens US Tolls in Strait of Hormuz if Iran Deal Fails

President Trump threatened via Truth Social to impose U.S. tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz if a final peace deal with Iran is not completed within 60 days. The threat came amid ongoing negotiations following an interim ceasefire agreement. Trump stated the tolls would be for "services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East," effectively claiming U.S. authority to charge fees in international waters. The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial oil shipping route through which about one-fifth of global oil supply passes, and is recognized under international maritime law as an international strait subject to the regime of transit passage under UNCLOS. Trump's unilateral claim to impose tolls has no basis in international law and represents an unprecedented assertion of U.S. authority over sovereign international waters. The statement came hours after Iran claimed it had closed the strait due to Israel's attacks in Lebanon, adding volatility to alr...

"NO TOLLS 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." — Posted to Truth Social on June 20, 2026, as part of a series of posts about ongoing Iran peace negotiations and the 60-day deadline for a final deal.