Trump Declares U.S. "Guardian of Hormuz," Reinstates Iran Blockade & Proposes 20% Cargo Fee

President Trump announced via Truth Social that the U.S. is reinstating its naval blockade on Iranian shipping while declaring America THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT. The administration proposes a 20% reimbursement fee on all cargo transiting the strait to cover U.S. security costs. The move unwinds a core provision of June's Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which had guaranteed toll-free Hormuz passage for a 60-day negotiation window. The IMO Council has reaffirmed that passage through international straits must remain free of tolls and charges, and IMO's Secretary-General has stated there is no legal basis for such a fee. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded by calling the 20% figure too much while asserting Iran's own historical claim as guardian of the strait. Verified against CBS News, Axios, The Hill, US News, and CNBC reporting (July 13-14, 2026).