Trump Declares US “Guardian” of Hormuz Strait, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mocks the Claim Online
Maryam Tariq
President Donald Trump declared the United States the new guardian of the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, announcing a 20 percent toll on cargo passing through the waterway and reinstating a naval blockade targeting Iranian ships. Iran’s foreign minister responded within hours, not with a formal statement, but with a mocking reply posted directly on social media, claiming the title for Iran instead. The exchange captures a standoff being fought as much online as it is at sea.
What Trump Announced About the Strait
In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote that the Hormuz Strait is open and will remain open with or without Iran. He said the US would reinstate what he called the Iranian blockade, targeting only Iran’s ships and customers, while all other countries would have fair and open use of the strait. He added that the US would be known from that point forward as the Guardian of the Hormuz Strait, and as a matter of fairness would be reimbursed at a rate of 20 percent on all cargo shipped, to cover the costs of providing safety and security. Speaking to Fox earlier the same day, Trump had floated calling the US the guardian angel of the strait, saying America had guarded it for free for years and would now get paid for the job.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Responds Directly on X
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi replied to Trump’s proposal on X rather than through a formal diplomatic channel. He wrote that POTUS is absolutely right, that whoever provides secure passage through the strait deserves compensation, but that Iran has always been the guardian of the strait and will remain so forever. He added that 20 percent is of course too much and that Iran would be fair. The tone was pointed and sarcastic, effectively agreeing with Trump’s logic while rejecting his claim to the role entirely.
What Iran’s Military Is Actually Saying
Away from the social media exchange, Iran’s official military position sounds far less playful. Army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia told state broadcaster IRIB that the strait will never reopen through war, aggression or US attacks, and that ship passage is currently not possible. A senior security source in Tehran separately told CNN that Iran would deliver a devastating response if Trump follows through on his threat to strike Pickaxe Mountain, a suspected nuclear facility Trump has said is on the target list, adding that the price would be paid by American soldiers and regional partners. The source also said Iran’s approach in the strait would not change regardless of whether that strike happens.
Even International Regulators Are Pushing Back
The toll proposal has also drawn objection from a body neither government controls. A spokesperson for the International Maritime Organization said it was aware of Trump’s announcement but that there is no legal basis for introducing mandatory tolls simply to transit a strait used for international navigation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has separately said no nation on earth supports paying to pass through straits, a position that appears to conflict directly with Trump’s own announcement.
What Shipping Data Shows Instead
While both governments claim authority over the strait, tracking data offers the clearest picture of what is actually happening. According to Kpler, a shipping and commodities data firm, crossings through the Strait of Hormuz have dropped by more than half compared to the previous week. Brent crude climbed above 83 dollars a barrel following Trump’s announcement, and average US gas prices ticked up to 3.87 dollars a gallon. Regardless of who is posting online about guardianship or tolls, commercial shipping operators appear to be making decisions based on risk data rather than either government’s public statements, a pattern that has now repeated for the third consecutive weekend of this standoff.
Sources:
· Trump proposes 20 percent toll on cargo through Strait of Hormuz, restarts Iran blockade — CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/13/trump-iran-hormuz-strait-charge-reimburse.html
· The US strikes Iran after Trump announces a renewed blockade and tolls in Hormuz — NPR: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/13/nx-s1-5891746/us-iran-strait-of-hormuz-updates
· Trump reimposes blockade on Strait of Hormuz, declares 20 percent US toll on shipping — The Hill: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5965639-trump-reinstates-naval-blockade-iran/
· Trump’s Strait of Hormuz blockade erases the last concession to Iran in preliminary deal — ABC News: https://abcnews.com/Politics/trumps-strait-hormuz-blockade-erases-concession-iran-preliminary/story?id=134717418
· Iranian source warns of devastating response if US strikes Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain — CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/14/world/live-news/iran-war-trump
