U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that Iran should not be levying fees on oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, amidst ongoing tensions following a fragile ceasefire in the region.
In a Truth Social post, Trump asserted that there were reports of Tehran attempting to charge vessels for transit through the strategic waterway. “They better not be and if they are they better stop now,” he wrote.
These remarks come as global shipping through the strait remains severely disrupted, with traffic still well below normal levels despite a ceasefire announced earlier in the week.
Industry sources with ties to Iran have suggested that a potential toll system could be implemented as part of efforts to maintain control over the chokepoint, though Western officials have dismissed the idea of paying such fees.
Trump also indicated that oil flows would resume “with or without Iran’s help,” without providing further details.