President Donald Trump warned Iran against charging fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions over the strategic waterway as a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran enters its second day.
There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait - They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!
Donald Trump, US President — Truth Social
The warning comes amid reports that Iran plans to demand toll payments in cryptocurrency to retain control over the strait during the two-week ceasefire. Iranian officials have indicated the fees would be $1 per barrel for oil shipments, payable in cryptocurrency or Chinese yuan.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei declared Thursday that management of the strait will "certainly enter a new phase" and vowed Tehran would demand compensation for war-related damages. The remarks signal Iran's intention to leverage its control over the chokepoint that handles roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
We will certainly not leave the criminal aggressors who attacked our country unpunished
Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, Iranian Supreme Leader — Anadolu Agency
Ship traffic through the strait remained at well below 10% of normal volumes Thursday despite the ceasefire, with only five vessels traveling through the waterway Wednesday according to shipping tracking firm Kpler. The dramatic reduction from the usual 10 vessels per day over the previous five days reflects the ongoing disruption to global energy supplies.
The standoff over the strait has emerged as a central issue as US-Iran negotiations prepare to begin Saturday in Pakistan under Pakistani mediation. Iran has emphasized the talks aim to finalize details of a potential agreement but do not signify an end to the broader conflict.
Trump's threat reflects growing frustration within his administration over Iran's attempts to extract concessions during the ceasefire period. The president has also criticized NATO allies for their limited support in reopening the waterway, with Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledging some members were "a bit surprised" by the US decision to launch strikes on Iran.
Our hands are on the trigger
Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, Iranian Supreme Leader — Anadolu Agency
The dispute over transit fees adds another layer of complexity to the delicate negotiations ahead. Iran's demand for compensation and control over shipping routes directly challenges US efforts to restore normal energy flows and stabilize global markets that have been roiled by the five-week conflict.