US President Donald Trump on July 14, 2026 reinstated a naval blockade on Iranian shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, declaring the United States as “THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT.”
The move imposes a 20% fee on all cargo transiting the waterway, effectively nullifying concessions from the June peace deal with Iran and escalating tensions in West Asia.
Trump said the blockade would prevent Iranian vessels from entering or leaving ports, while ensuring safe passage for other international shipping.
The announcement immediately drove up global oil prices, with Brent crude rising to $84.65 and WTI to $79.61, sparking concerns of inflationary pressure worldwide.
Iran rejected the US authority over the strait, vowing it remains the “guardian forever,” while the UN’s International Maritime Organization stated there is no legal basis for tolls on strait transits.
US strikes also targeted Iranian missile and drone sites near Bandar Abbas and Bushehr, prompting retaliatory attacks on Gulf states and UAE oil tankers, further heightening regional instability.
