Trump Says U.S. Should Be Paid to Control Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump stated on Monday that the United States intends to take control of the Strait of Hormuz and should be reimbursed by other parties for acting as the waterway’s guardian.

In a phone interview on the Fox News program “Fox & Friends,” the president addressed the escalating conflict with Iran, describing the U.S. role in the critical oil-shipping route as a “guardian angel” service. “We’re going to keep the strait, and we’ll probably run it,” Trump said. “We guarded it for nothing, and now we’re going to guard it, we’re going to get paid for guarding it. A lot of money.”

Conflict Over Maritime Control

The status of the Strait of Hormuz, which historically handles about one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil, has become the primary battleground in the current conflict. Conflicting claims regarding the waterway have emerged over the past week. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have declared the strait “closed until further notice,” citing American interventions in the region. Conversely, the U.S. maintains that the strait is open.

President Trump reiterated this position on Sunday, stating, “It’s open as far as we’re concerned.” However, data from the trade intelligence firm Kpler indicates that traffic through the strait has fallen and remains well below pre-war levels.

Military Escalation and Regional Impact

The president’s comments followed a series of military engagements. The United States conducted multiple rounds of offensive strikes against Iran over the past several days, utilizing aircraft, naval vessels, and drones to target dozens of locations. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated these strikes were intended to degrade Iran’s ability to interfere with international shipping.

Iranian state media reported that recent U.S. strikes resulted in casualties in the Khuzestan province and near Bandar Abbas. In response, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced strikes against U.S. military targets in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. Reports from these countries confirmed that local forces intercepted hostile aerial targets, including Iranian missiles in Jordan.

Economic Consequences and Diplomatic Status

The renewed hostilities have significantly impacted global energy markets. Following the collapse of a preliminary peace deal and the re-escalation of the conflict, the price of Brent crude oil rose above $78 per barrel on Monday, an increase of approximately $10 within one week. U.S. benchmark WTI also saw an increase, jumping above $74 per barrel.

Domestic fuel prices in the U.S. have also been affected. According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gas has risen every day since July 7, reaching $3.87. Experts have warned that continued fighting could lead to further significant impacts on the global economy and potentially cause gas prices to soar.

Status of Peace Negotiations

The U.S. and Iran had been approximately halfway through a 60-day period aimed at reaching a permanent end to the war. However, the diplomatic process has been strained by the recent violence. While an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman noted that mediators from Qatar, Pakistan, and Oman are still working to prevent further escalation, President Trump suggested last week that the interim agreement between the two nations was over.

The Iranian foreign ministry stated that the recent U.S. strikes have “rendered futile all efforts” at establishing peace in the region and have contributed to a return of insecurity within the Strait of Hormuz.

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