United States President Donald Trump has announced a new 20 per cent security charge on all cargo transported through the Strait of Hormuz, saying the levy is intended to cover the cost of protecting one of the world’s busiest and most strategic shipping routes.

In a statement shared on Truth Social on Monday, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would remain open “with or without Iran,” while revealing that his administration was reinstating what he described as the “Iranian blockade,” which he claimed would apply only to Iranian vessels and their customers.

He stressed that ships from all other countries would continue to enjoy unrestricted access to the waterway.

Trump also declared that the United States would now be known as “The Guardian of the Hormuz Strait,” insisting that nations benefiting from the route should contribute to the cost of maintaining peace and security in the region.

According to him, the new 20 per cent security charge will be imposed on all cargo passing through the strait as reimbursement for the expenses incurred in safeguarding the volatile maritime corridor.

He added that implementation of the new policy would begin immediately.