The United States on the 13th (local time) resumed a maritime blockade of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and announced it would collect 20% of all cargo passing through the strait as a toll. President Donald Trump argued the money is compensation for the expense of protecting the safety of the strait, through which one-fifth of the world's crude oil passes.
However, ships or shippers passing through the strait are not yet at the point of having to immediately pay the United States 20% of the cargo value. The White House did not say 20% of what, who would pay it, or which agency would collect it, and it did not release any laws or administrative procedures to back this up.
That day, President Trump on his social media Truth Social defined the United States as the "Guardian of the Hormuz Strait." He added, "We will apply a 20% rate to all cargo being transported to compensate for all expense necessary to provide safety and security in the region." Trump said the blockade applies only to Iran-flagged vessels, and that the strait is "OPEN, with or without Iran." On related procedures, he added, "We will begin (discussions) immediately."
Major outlets said the White House did not provide additional explanations, such as how it would administer the fee or whether it had informed Gulf allies in advance. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which is enforcing the blockade, also could not provide specific operational plans. That day, CENTCOM issued a notice to mariners stating that, starting at 4 p.m. on the 14th Eastern time (5 a.m. on the 15th Korea time), it would blockade vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas and warn of the use of force against noncompliant ships. However, CENTCOM Spokesperson Tim Hawkins did not directly answer AP's question of whether the military would collect the toll itself and referred inquiries to the White House.
The U.S. military tallied that during the first blockade period—from Apr. 13 after the outbreak of the Iran war to June 17, when the U.S. and Iran reached a temporary agreement—it diverted about 140 ships in the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, it disabled nine vessels that disobeyed orders and allowed the passage of about 50 humanitarian aid ships. During this period, the United States consistently opposed imposing a Strait of Hormuz toll. U.S. Minister of State Marco Rubio said in Bahrain on the 25th of last month, "There is no country on Earth that supports having to pay to pass through the strait," dismissing Iran's attempt to impose a toll. Minister Rubio said at the time, "President Trump made it clear. That will not happen."
However, some outlets, citing past remarks, analyzed that President Trump has repeatedly revealed over the past four months a plan for the United States to collect the toll. When Iran moved to impose a toll in April, President Trump said, "How about the United States charging it instead?" Then in May he reversed himself, saying, "We do not want a toll."
This time as well, President Trump did not say what the 20% would be charged on as a toll. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the Trump administration did not explain the specific mechanics and "only said it would immediately set up the related procedures." If taken at face value, the most likely scenario is a 20% levy based on the price of cargo such as crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), or containers. But his remarks did not say whether the basis is freight rates, insured value, or a demand to share U.S. military escort expenses. Bloomberg estimated that, if 20% were applied to cargo prices as Trump said, the burden per very large crude carrier loaded with oil would be about $30 million (about 45 billion won). About a dozen shipping market participants Bloomberg contacted, including operators of tankers that recently passed through the Strait of Hormuz, said they "did not expect this at all." A captain who requested anonymity told Bloomberg the U.S. toll collection is "highway robbery."
The White House also did not specify who would have to pay the expense. Shipping transactions involve the shipowner who owns the vessel, the charterer who leases and operates it, the shipper who entrusts the cargo, and the final importer. If charged to the owner, it becomes a navigation fee; if charged to the shipper, a cargo surcharge; if charged to the importer, it takes on a tariff-like character. In any case, procedures such as cargo price reporting and verification, a collecting authority, and penalties for delinquent vessels would have to follow. CNN reported, "Even if the owner is willing to pay a toll collected by the U.S. government, if insurers refuse to underwrite insurance for ships transiting Hormuz citing security risks, operations themselves could become difficult."
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the U.N. agency overseeing maritime safety, said in a statement that day, "We strongly oppose charging fees for passage through straits used for international navigation," adding, "There is no legal basis to introduce a mandatory toll simply for transiting a strait." The IMO said it would seek more details of Trump's plan but added, "Our opposition to fees remains unchanged."
Iran took the opposite stance. According to AP, Iran has argued since last month's agreement that only it has the right to manage strait transit and charge fees. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, after President Trump signaled an intent to collect a toll, said on social media on the 13th, "Absolutely right. The side that provides safe passage for merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service." However, Minister Araghchi added, "Twenty percent is of course excessive," and "Iran will be fair." A Spokesperson for the Imam Khomeini Central Command under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) protested, saying, "We will never allow the United States to interfere in the management of the Strait of Hormuz."
As the United States and Iran risk military confrontation over control of the strait, Brent crude rose about 10% in after-hours trading on the 13th, hovering around $83.63 per barrel (about 125,000 won). Some warned that, regardless of whether it is actually collected, the plan to levy a 20% toll could push up war-risk insurance premiums, freight rates, and global oil prices.