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President Donald Trump said the United States will take control of the Strait of Hormuz and should be reimbursed for securing the vital waterway, according to multiple reports. In a phone interview with Fox News, Trump said, "We're going to keep the strait, and we'll probably run it. We'll become the guardian of the strait. Maybe we'll call it the guardian angel of the strait. And we should be reimbursed for that," as reported by Yonhap News and the Jerusalem Post, which both cited the interview.

Trump also posted on his Truth Social platform that the US would be known as "the guardian of the Hormuz Strait" and would be "reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped" for providing security, according to TASS — English. The announcement comes amid ongoing disruptions to shipping in the strait, a route that carries about 25% of global oil and roughly 20% of liquefied natural gas, as reported by TASS — English.

Coverage Comparison

The reports from Al Jazeera, the Jerusalem Post, TASS — English, and Yonhap News — English converge on Trump's core statements but differ in emphasis and additional detail. All four outlets reported Trump's intention for the US to control or guard the strait and his demand for reimbursement. However, the specific percentage of the toll (20%) was carried by TASS — English and the Jerusalem Post, while Al Jazeera's shorter items focused on Trump's call for payment from "rich" Gulf nations.

Iranian officials responded across the outlets. TASS — English quoted Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as saying Iran has "always been the guardian of the Strait and will remain so forever," and that "20% is of course too much. We will be fair." Al Jazeera quoted Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei as saying Iran "remains completely in control" of the strait and is not seeking negotiations with the US. The Jerusalem Post also reported Araghchi's mocking response to Trump's 20% demand, in which he seemingly positioned Tehran as the preferred administrators.

The Jerusalem Post added an expert critique: Professor Chuck Freilich warned that Trump's "absurd demand" validated Tehran's own demands for fees in the strait. Freilich also said that "money is his primary motivation in life; he thinks only in monetary terms."

Key Claims

  • Trump said the US will "keep" and "run" the Strait of Hormuz, and should be reimbursed for controlling it, as reported by Yonhap News — English and the Jerusalem Post, both citing his Fox News interview.
  • Trump demanded a 20% toll on all cargo shipped through the strait, as reported by TASS — English, citing his Truth Social post.
  • TASS — English reported Trump said the US protects all Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, naming Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia as countries to which the US provides assistance.
  • Al Jazeera reported Trump said the US should be paid by "rich" oil-producing Gulf nations to secure the strait from Iran.
  • Roughly 25% of global oil and about 20% of liquefied natural gas pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to TASS — English.
  • Iranian officials asserted Iran's continued control: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran has always been and will remain the guardian of the strait, as reported by TASS — English; Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran remains completely in control, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Perspectives

Trump administration: President Trump argues the US should be compensated for protecting the strait, framing it as a matter of fairness. He stated, "All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait," and that the US would be reimbursed at 20% for its costs, as reported by TASS — English.

Iranian government: Iranian officials reject Trump's proposal, asserting that Iran is the rightful guardian of the strait. Foreign Minister Araghchi dismissed the 20% demand as excessive and promised fairness, while Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Baghaei said Iran is not seeking negotiations with the US, as reported by TASS — English and Al Jazeera.

Expert critique: Professor Chuck Freilich of the Jerusalem Post warned that Trump's demand could legitimize Iran's own claims for fees, and suggested that Trump's motivation is purely monetary, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.