US President Donald Trump has once again made sensational remarks. He warned that if a final agreement to end the war with Iran is not reached within the 60-day ceasefire window, Washington may impose toll charges on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. He clarified that no tolls would be collected during the 60-day ceasefire period, nor after it expires — but only if a deal is concluded.
However, in a post on his Truth Social account on Saturday, Trump made clear that if an agreement is not finalised within the stipulated time, he would personally impose these tolls on behalf of the United States. He remarked that America has been serving as a guardian angel for Middle Eastern nations, and that the proposed toll is intended to recover past, present, and future costs incurred in providing that protection.
Within hours of these remarks, Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters made a significant announcement. It alleged that despite a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, Israeli attacks there continue, and that Washington has failed to honour the first clause of the US-Iran ceasefire agreement — and on those grounds, announced that it was once again closing the Strait of Hormuz. The US Central Command swiftly rejected Iran’s announcement, though it has yet to release full details.
The Toll-Free Arrangement
This entire toll dispute stems from the recently concluded US-Iran understanding. Under that agreement, the question of whether Iran retains long-term control over the Strait of Hormuz remains unresolved. Under the current arrangement, ships may pass through freely without any toll for 60 days, during which Iran and neighbouring Gulf states are expected to negotiate a long-term plan. However, a loophole in the agreement leaves open the possibility that after the 60-day period, it could be Iran — not the US — that collects fees. Earlier this week, Trump had firmly stated that the strait would remain toll-free both during and after the initial 60 days. His Saturday post, however, contradicts that position — he has now explicitly attached a condition: toll-free passage only if a deal is reached.