President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that passage through the Strait of Hormuz would not have fees. However, Trump added that such fees could be imposed by the United States.
60-Day ceasefire period
Trump said, "During the Ceasefire Period for 60 days there will be NO FEE at the Strait of Hormuz and there will be NO FEE after the 60-day period expires." He further stipulated, "unless imposed by and for the US."
This statement is seen as a final sign that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on Wednesday may be shaky. According to the agreement, the strait was to reopen for traffic for a 60-day interim period, during which Iran was barred from charging passage fees.
Iran's claim of closing the strait
On Saturday, Iran's joint military command announced it had closed the Strait of Hormuz due to a "clear violation" of the memorandum commitments. The US Central Command (CENTCOM), overseeing military operations in the region, denied this report, asserting traffic continued to flow through the strait.
The Strait of Hormuz has long been a flashpoint in the conflict between the US and Iran. Approximately 20% of world oil and natural gas and about 30% of global fertilizer trade passes through this strait.
Trump's fee idea
Trump is not first voicing the idea of imposing fees on the strait by the US. In April, he told reporters, "Why shouldn't we charge? I prefer doing it rather than them charging. Why shouldn't we? We are the winners. We won."
In his Saturday post, Trump wrote that such a fee would compensate the US for services rendered "as the Guardian Angel of Middle Eastern countries for reimbursement of past, present, and future costs."
Future of negotiations
The memorandum was not designed as a long-term agreement and serves as a starting point for negotiations on fundamental issues, including the future of Iran's nuclear program.
Follow-up talks between the US and Iran, mediated by Pakistan, are scheduled to begin Sunday in Switzerland. The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that an Iranian delegation headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had already arrived for negotiations.
On the US side, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Vice President JD Vance are expected to participate.
