Trump retreat over Hormuz tolls suggests struggle to end Iran war
President Trump abandoned a proposal to charge tolls on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, opting instead to pursue trade deals with Gulf allies. This shift highlights the administration's ongoing struggle to resolve the protracted conflict with Iran.
Why it matters
The volatility of the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing US-Iran conflict directly impact global energy prices and international security.
Image source, Getty Images By Anthony Zurcher , North America correspondent and Kayla Epstein Published 14 July 2026 Updated 15 July 2026 00:17 BST Donald Trump's latest Iran War demand lasted all of 24 hours and suggests a president searching for unorthodox ways out of a difficult position.
On Monday morning, in a social media post announcing the resumption of an American naval blockade on Iranian shipping, he said that all vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz - including those of US allies - must pay a 20% fee to reimburse the US "for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the world".
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