{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Donald Trump imposes 20% levy on Hormuz cargo and reinstates blockade",
  "summary": "President Donald Trump has announced a naval blockade of Iranian ports and a 20% surcharge on all cargo transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, heightening regional tensions.",
  "content": "President Donald Trump has announced that the United States is reinstating a naval blockade of Iranian ports while imposing a 20% charge on all cargo shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This aggressive policy follows a series of escalating military strikes exchanged between the two nations.\n\nStrait of Hormuz policy changes\nThe President indicated that this blockade is intended to prevent \"Iran's ships or customers\" from entering or exiting this vital energy shipping corridor, though he promised that \"all other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait.\" The new restrictions officially took effect at 16:00 Eastern Time (20:00 GMT) on Tuesday.\n\nIran's Foreign Minister quickly countered the announcement, asserting that Tehran would remain the \"GUARDIAN\" of the strait, pointedly utilizing Trump's own terminology. Meanwhile, US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed that military forces had launched a third consecutive night of strikes against Iranian targets. According to Centcom, these operations began at 16:45 Eastern Time (20:45 GMT) on Monday, executed at the \"Commander in Chief's direction.\"\n\nEscalating regional hostilities\nCentcom stated that these strikes are necessary to impose heavy costs on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to threaten commercial shipping and innocent civilians within the strait. In retaliation, Iranian state media reported that the nation's military had targeted US assets stationed in Kuwait.\n\nAdditionally, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence reported that Iranian cruise missiles struck two of their national tankers in the strait. This attack resulted in the death of one Indian crew member and left eight others wounded, four of whom are in serious condition. The ministry noted that six of the injured were Indian and two were Ukrainian, formally condemning the act as a grave violation of international law and a direct threat to regional stability.\n\nThe US position\nIn a social media statement on Monday, Trump insisted that the strait \"will remain OPEN, with or without Iran.\" He declared that the U.S. would henceforth be known as \"THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT\" and justified the 20% surcharge as a matter of fairness to recoup the costs of maintaining security in such a volatile area. He added that the implementation process would begin immediately.\n\nThese comments arrived shortly after Trump told Fox News that the U.S. would likely operate the Strait of Hormuz directly, claiming that Iran had violated a prior agreement. By Monday, Centcom confirmed that its forces would continue to blockade maritime traffic entering or exiting Iranian ports, while maintaining support for the safe passage of vessels that do not violate the blockade.\n\nGlobal and domestic impact\nThe International Maritime Organization, the UN agency responsible for regulating global shipping, expressed strong opposition to the levy. A spokesperson stated that the IMO stands firmly against charging fees for passage through straits used for international navigation, adding that there is no legal basis for mandatory tolls simply for transit.\n\nPrior to Trump's announcement, Iran’s top military headquarters stated it would not permit US interference in the management of the strait. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesperson for Khatam al-Anbiya, warned that persistent US \"malicious actions\" have endangered regional security and commercial shipping. He further cautioned that any cooperation with the US would be viewed as an act of war, threatening that the \"flames of war\" would spread throughout the entire region.\n\nThe long-term practical implications of the announcement remain unclear. While some vessels are still moving through the area, traffic remains significantly restricted according to ship-tracking data. Domestically, the move could complicate politics for the administration, as some Republican lawmakers have already questioned the strategic value of the ongoing conflict, and concerns over rising oil prices continue to mount among the American public.\n\nWhat this means for you\nAcross India: The escalation in the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a spike in global crude oil prices, leading to increased fuel costs for consumers across India.\n\nFor traders: Indian exporters and shipping firms operating through the Gulf will likely face increased operational costs and potential transit delays due to the new 20% cargo surcharge and heightened regional security risks.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. What decision has Donald Trump made regarding the Strait of Hormuz?\nHe has announced the reinstatement of a naval blockade on Iranian ports and the imposition of a 20% charge on all cargo transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.\n\n2. What is cited as the reason for this blockade?\nThe move follows a period of escalating military strikes between the US and Iran and claims that Iran violated previous agreements made with the US.\n\n3. Have there been any casualties in this conflict?\nYes, according to the UAE, an attack on two national tankers by Iranian cruise missiles resulted in the death of one Indian crew member and left eight others injured.\n\n4. What is Iran's response to the announcement?\nIran has warned the US against interfering in the management of the strait and reiterated that it will remain the guardian of the passage.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/world/horamuza-jaladamarumadhya-se-gujarane-vale-jahajon-para-donald-trump-ka-20-phisadi-taiksa-ka-ailana-7479",
  "category": "World",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-13",
  "tags": [
    "Donald Trump",
    "Iran",
    "Strait of Hormuz",
    "oil trade",
    "US Navy",
    "international relations"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}