President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States is reinstating a naval blockade on Iranian ports and shipping. In a policy reversal, Trump declared the U.S. will act as the Guardian of the Strait of Hormuz, imposing a 20% fee on all cargo shipped through the waterway to cover security costs. This move comes after Tehran claimed it had closed the vital oil-shipping route.
The announcement coincides with a major escalation in hostilities, with the U.S. launching its third consecutive night of strikes on Iran. U.S. Central Command stated these operations are intended to degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping and innocent civilians. In response, the IRGC hit Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Oman in the largest exchange since a June ceasefire. Both nations have effectively reverted to a state of open conflict, raising fears of a return to all-out war.
While the U.S. military claims control over the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has rejected any U.S. control of the waterway. The renewed hostilities have driven oil prices higher and prompted some Iranians to call for revenge for the February killing of the country's supreme leader. Amid these tensions, President Trump announced he will deliver a prime-time address to the nation this Thursday, though he did not disclose the topic.