President Donald Trump on Monday said the Strait of Hormuz is open and will remain open, “with or without Iran.”
He recently declared the ceasefire with Iran to be over, but also said peace talks would continue.
Both sides have resumed strikes and Trump’s announcement Monday confirms that U.S. troops will resume a naval blockade of Iranian ports in the area.
In a post online, Trump confirmed that all other countries will have “fair and open” use of the strait, which is vital for passage for about 20% of the world’s oil.
Additionally, Trump announced the U.S. would now control the waterway.
“The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,’ but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World,” he said.
It’s unclear how long the U.S. control of the strait would last, since the president said “from this point forward.” Critics online say that Trump is entering the country into another “forever war,” when the administration has promised since the start of the conflict in February that it would be a short-term excursion.
Additionally, it’s unclear why the 20% reimbursement is being added on.
It’s a departure from Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s comments last month when Iran was threatening to charge tolls on ships in the strait.
“That’s the law, it’s an international waterway,” Rubio said in June about Iran’s tolls. “No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees. That’s existing international law. That’s the way it is in international waterways all over the world and that’s the way we expect it here.”
Trump formally notified Congress of the resumption of military activities on Friday under the war powers resolution.
Democrats reportedly say the war is illegal and he can’t restart the 60-day military action clock.
In the letter to Congress, Trump said the military action is to protect the U.S. forces in the region that are being targeted by Iran and said the current U.S. action is “limited, measured, planned and executed in a manner designed to minimize civilian casualties.” Still, Trump said U.S. forces will remain ready to take further action if necessary.