Donald Trump has ordered a renewed naval blockade on Iran and announced a 20% fee on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports from Naftemporiki.
The move represents a significant escalation in US policy toward Tehran, directly targeting maritime traffic through one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.
The announcement comes as global equity markets continue to struggle with volatility.
Asian indices opened in a state of flux on Wednesday, grappling with the aftershocks of a recent Wall Street sell-off.
The new sanctions and transit fees are likely to exacerbate investor uncertainty, particularly for sectors exposed to shipping costs and energy supply disruptions.
The Strait of Hormuz handles a substantial portion of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade.