Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has forcefully rejected US President Donald Trump's proposal to impose charges on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, declaring that Iran will remain the eternal guardian of the waterway.
The remarks, delivered on Monday, serve as a direct counter to Washington's recent diplomatic overtures and underscore the deepening rift between the two nations over maritime security and trade access.
The exchange intensifies geopolitical pressure on one of the world's most critical energy corridors.
With approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies passing through the Strait daily, any disruption or imposition of new fees carries immediate implications for global energy markets and shipping insurance premiums.
The US military blockade on Iranian ports, reported earlier this week, has already escalated shipping risk in the region, and Araghchi's comments suggest that diplomatic de-escalation remains elusive.
This development directly contradicts recent assurances cited by the White House.