U.S. President Donald Trump raised the possibility that the United States will take responsibility for and directly control security in the Strait of Hormuz and argued that it should receive a corresponding expense. As the United States and Iran continue armed clashes over control of the strait, he has again brought up the issues of managing the strait and security expenses.
According to Reuters and others on the 13th (local time), Trump said in a phone interview with Fox News that "We will keep the strait, and we will probably run it."
Trump added, "We will be the guardian of this strait. Maybe we will call it the angel of the strait."
He then said, "We must be paid for it."
Trump repeatedly stressed that if the United States takes on the defense of the strait, allied and friendly nations that use it should also shoulder the expense. He said, "We will protect the strait and receive a lot of money," adding, "Other countries are very wealthy and on America's side. The United States cannot protect the strait without receiving any compensation."
Aiming at Iran, he warned, "The deal had already been finalized, but Iran broke it. Iran always violates agreements. We will strike them very hard."
On the 21st of last month, Trump also hinted that if a final peace agreement with Iran falls through, the United States could impose a toll in return for guaranteeing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Recently, after Iran attacked merchant ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the United States launched large-scale retaliatory airstrikes, and Iran has continued attacks targeting U.S. military bases in the Gulf region, heightening tensions between the two countries again.