Trump says US could charge for Strait of Hormuz passage amid Iran war

Amidst the ongoing war with Iran, US President Donald Trump suggested the US might impose tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump stated that the US, as the "winner" of the war, should collect fees rather than Iran. The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil and LNG transport, lies primarily within Omani and Iranian territorial waters. Trump issued an ultimatum to Iran, demanding the reopening of the strait and acceptance of US terms to avoid attacks on Iranian infrastructure. He insisted that any deal with Iran must ensure the free flow of oil through the strait.

A French-owned container ship crossed the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first vessel from a major Western European firm to do so since the recent US-Israeli conflict with Iran began in late February. The Malta-flagged ship, owned by CMA CGM, passed through the vital waterway despite ongoing tensions and attacks on ships, which had previously halted normal transport activity. A Japanese ship carrying natural gas also successfully navigated the strait. While Iran claims "non-hostile vessels" can use the waterway, many ships are hugging the coast of Oman for safety. The conflict had significantly reduced traffic, leaving approximately 200 vessels stranded, though some ships, including those linked to Iran, Pakistan, and India, continued to transit the area. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passage for about a fifth of the world's oil and liquid natural gas.

A French container ship and a Japanese-owned tanker have made the first known crossings of the Strait of Hormuz by Western-linked vessels since the war in Iran effectively closed the waterway over a month ago. The CMA CGM Kribi container ship exited the strait on Friday, while Mitsui OSK Lines confirmed their LNG tanker also crossed. Since the US and Israel attacked Iran, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely limited, primarily to vessels associated with nations friendly to Tehran and pre-approved by Iran. The crossings by the French and Japanese ships signal a potential shift in the situation, although the reason for the change remains unclear. Both France and Japan have recently called for a ceasefire in the conflict.

A container ship owned by French shipping company CMA CGM successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 2, marking the first passage by a Western vessel since the US-Israeli war on Iran began on February 28. The Malta-flagged Kribi's transit is notable as the Strait had been effectively closed, impacting global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. While the method of securing safe passage remains unclear, shipping data indicates the vessel changed its destination to signal its French ownership to Iranian authorities before entering Iranian waters. Prior to the war, the Strait was a key route for approximately a fifth of global oil and gas supplies, but since March 1, only around 150 vessels, mostly linked to Iran, China, India, and Pakistan, have transited the waterway. The incident comes as fuel prices have risen worldwide due to the Strait's disruption.