Trump Imposes 20% Fee on Hormuz Shipping, US Strikes Iran Targets

President Donald Trump announced that the United States would impose a 20 % fee on all cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz, branding the move as the U.S. “Guardian of the Strait.” The decision directly counters Iran’s own toll demands for shipping through the vital waterway, signalling a shift in U.S. policy toward a more assertive stance on maritime security in the Persian Gulf.

In a simultaneous escalation, U.S. forces reportedly struck dozens of targets inside Iran, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched attacks on military sites in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Oman. These strikes represent the most extensive exchange of hostilities since the ceasefire brokered in April, underscoring the rapid deterioration of regional security dynamics.

The new fee and the recent cross‑border attacks illustrate a heightened U.S. commitment to countering Iranian influence in the Gulf. As the region braces for further developments, the international community watches closely to gauge how these actions will affect trade flows, diplomatic relations, and the broader balance of power in the Middle East.