Trump Promises No Iran Tolls On Hormuz Strait, But Hints US Could Charge

The US-Iran ceasefire memorandum leaves the door open for future Hormuz tolls once the initial 60-day window ends.

Trump Draws A Line On Who Can Charge For Hormuz Passage

US President Donald Trump has promised that no tolls will apply for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz unless America itself decides to collect them.

Trump shared this declaration in a Saturday afternoon post on Truth Social. It comes amid growing signs that a recently inked memorandum of understanding (MOU) could be falling apart.

He wrote “There will be NO TOLLS in the Hormuz Strait for 60 days during the Cease Fire Period, and there will be NO TOLLS after the 60 day period has expired,” — adding this applies “unless they are imposed by and for the United States of America.”

Iran Used The Strait As Leverage During The War

Ever since the US and Israel launched their war against Iran on February 28, Tehran has repeatedly used the Strait of Hormuz as a bargaining chip shutting the crucial waterway to traffic whenever needed.

However, Wednesday’s ceasefire memorandum requires the strait to reopen for a 60-day interim window. Iran is barred from charging any vessel passage fees during this stretch.

Despite this, Iran’s joint military command announced on Saturday that it had shut the strait again. Tehran cited what it called a “clear breach” of the memorandum’s terms.

US Central Command the body overseeing American military activity in the region pushed back on this claim. CENTCOM insisted shipping traffic continues moving normally through the waterway.

Why The Strait Matters So Much Globally

The Strait of Hormuz has remained a major flashpoint between Washington and Tehran for years. Nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas passes through this narrow channel.

Roughly 30 percent of global fertiliser trade also moves through the strait. Whenever it shuts down, fuel prices spike worldwide and farming sectors everywhere feel the pressure.

Trump had earlier responded to Iran’s strait blockade by ordering a US naval blockade of Iranian ports nearby. That blockade, however, was lifted as part of Wednesday’s memorandum, which also paused fighting across the wider regional conflict, including in Lebanon.

The MOU Was Never Meant To Be Permanent

This memorandum was always designed as a starting point — not a final settlement. It opens the door for deeper negotiations, particularly around Iran’s nuclear programme going forward.

Several disputed issues were left untouched by the agreement. Crucially, nothing in the memo blocks future tolls on the strait once the 60-day period runs out.

Before this war began, ships passed through the strait completely free of charge. Trump himself had told The New York Times the waterway should stay “””permanently toll-free.”””

Yet his tone shifted in Saturday’s post, where he again raised the idea of Washington imposing its own tolls — while still ruling Iran out from doing the same.

Trump Frames Tolls As Payment For “Protection”

No fees should apply, Trump wrote, “unless they are imposed by and for the United States of America, should the deal not be completed.”

He explained such charges would compensate Washington “for services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East for purposes of both past, present, and future reimbursement of costs.”

This mirrors language Trump used earlier in his New York Times interview, where he floated the idea of America becoming the “guardian of the Middle East” in return for 20 percent of regional revenue.

Not The First Time Tolls Have Come Up

This isn’t the first occasion Trump has floated the idea of American-imposed tolls on the strait. Back in April, he discussed it openly with reporters.

“What about us charging tolls? I’d rather do that than let them have them. Why shouldn’t we? We’re the winner. We won,” he said at the time.

So far, there’s no sign Trump’s toll plans have been formally shared with regional governments. Many of these nations have carefully balanced ties with both Washington and Tehran throughout the conflict.

Iran Insists It Won’t Rule Out Tolls Either

Iranian officials have repeatedly stated they too won’t rule out charging tolls in the strait. They frame this as a matter of national sovereignty and future regional talks.

The strait itself lies between Iranian and Omani territory. Further discussions on the issue are expected to continue over the coming weeks.

Lebanon Strikes Threaten To Derail Talks

These negotiations now face serious risk due to ongoing Israeli military strikes in Lebanon, which could violate Wednesday’s ceasefire memorandum entirely.

Iran claims Saturday’s strait closure was triggered directly by fresh Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon. Those strikes reportedly killed dozens of people even after the ceasefire was announced.

Iranian officials have also insisted upcoming talks must first address proper implementation of the original memorandum. They argue the 60-day negotiating clock should only start once that issue gets resolved.

Switzerland Talks Set To Begin Sunday

Pakistan, acting as a key mediator between the US and Iran, confirmed follow-up talks are scheduled to start in Switzerland on Sunday.

Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Iran’s delegation has already arrived. The team is led by Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

On the American side, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Vice President JD Vance are all expected to attend the talks. Vance departed for Switzerland late Saturday night.