US President Donald Trump has announced plans to reinstate a naval blockade on Iranian ports and impose charges on all cargo vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant escalation in tensions over the vital waterway.
The declaration, made on Monday, signals a return to aggressive containment tactics aimed at pressuring Iran while attempting to monetize the security operations keeping the route open.
Trump stated that the fees are necessary to fund the naval presence required to maintain safe passage for international shipping.
Iran's military command responded swiftly, insisting it would not allow the US to "interfere" in the key conduit for oil and gas.
The Iranian stance underscores the high stakes of the confrontation, as any attempt to enforce a toll or blockade could lead to immediate disruptions in global energy flows.
This development follows a series of tit-for-tat strikes and diplomatic spats that have kept a risk premium on oil prices intact for weeks.