Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:22pm on 13 Jul 2026,Monday International
US President Donald Trump announced the reimposition of what he called an "Iranian blockade", saying Washington would assume responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz and seek a 20 per cent reimbursement fee on all cargo transiting the strategic waterway. The announcement followed Trump's earlier statement that the United States would "take control" of the Strait and become its "Guardian". The move marks a sharp escalation in US rhetoric amid intensifying military tensions with Iran following days of exchanges in the Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical maritime trade routes, carrying a significant share of global energy shipments through the region daily.
