FM: Iran to remain "guardian" of Strait of Hormuz

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would remain the "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz after US President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 20% charge on cargo passing through the strategic waterway under US protection.

In a post on X, Araghchi responded directly to Trump's proposal, saying Iran had long ensured security in the strait, Caliber.Az reports. 

“POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service,” Araghchi wrote.

POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service.

Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER.

20% is of course too much. We will be fair

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) July 13, 2026

“Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER. 20% is of course too much. We will be fair,” he added.

Trump had earlier announced on his Truth Social platform that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open under US protection and that Washington would begin charging a 20% fee on all cargo shipments to cover the cost of securing the waterway.

“The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran,” Trump wrote. He added that the United States was reinstating what he called “THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE,” saying it would only restrict Iranian ships or their customers while allowing all other countries free access to the strait.

Trump also declared that “the U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,’” adding that “as a matter of FAIRNESS,” it would “be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World.”

He said the process of implementing the policy would begin immediately.

Trump's proposal contrasts with comments made in June by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who rejected the idea of any country charging tolls for passage through international waterways.

By Sabina Mammadli