Trump reimposes Iran blockade, plans 20% fee on Hormuz cargo

In mid-July 2026, President Donald Trump announced the reimposition of a blockade on Iranian ports and said the United States would charge a 20% fee on all cargo ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump described the US as the "guardian" of the strategic waterway and suggested other countries should contribute financially to its security.

The move sent oil prices above $80 per barrel. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels reportedly carried out strikes on Saudi Arabia, though the direct connection to Trump's announcement was not specified in the headlines. The blockade and fee plan mark a significant escalation in US-Iran tensions.