Trump Restarts Iran Port Blockade, Threatens 20% Hormuz Fees and New Strikes
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 13
Trump Restarts Iran Port Blockade, Threatens 20% Hormuz Fees and New Strikes
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 13
Summary
Late Tuesday night, U.S. forces will resume blocking vessels to and from Iranian ports as Trump says intensive bombing is restarting and vows to hit Iran "very hard" over the next two days.
The move follows a fresh collapse of the truce: Iran vowed revenge for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's killing, launched strikes at U.S.-linked targets in Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman, and kept pressuring shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM said it has begun a third straight night of strikes, including a first-ever offensive use of three naval drones against Bandar Abbas, targeting facilities tied to Iran's ability to menace commercial traffic.
Trump also said the U.S. would control the strait and charge a 20% fee on cargo passing through it, a stance that clashes with earlier statements by Marco Rubio, JD Vance and the U.N. shipping agency.
Brent crude jumped to about $83 a barrel from $76 on Friday as traffic through a waterway that once carried a fifth of global oil and LNG remained far below prewar levels.
By imposing a toll on a global strait, is the U.S. setting a dangerous new precedent for the future of maritime freedom?
With the Hormuz blockade costing $700M daily, how long can the global economy endure before a forced resolution becomes inevitable?
As nations seek alternatives like the Arctic, is the era of single maritime chokepoints dictating global geopolitics finally coming to an end?
Strait of Hormuz Crisis 2026: U.S. Blockade, 20% Oil Toll, and Global Energy Shock
Overview
In July 2026, President Trump reimposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz after a fragile truce with Iran collapsed, following earlier US-Israeli strikes and US efforts to restrict Iran’s capabilities. This move reignited tensions and caused global oil prices to surge, with Brent crude reaching $80. The blockade, enforced by US forces turning back vessels near Iran’s coast, created deep uncertainty in international markets and raised fears over energy security. The situation highlights how quickly regional conflict and broken agreements can disrupt global trade and fuel prices, underlining the ongoing risks in this vital waterway.