Strait of Hormuz Toll Row: Trump Urges Iran to End Fees as Shipping Stalls

President Donald Trump took to Truth Social Thursday, demanding that Iran cease levying tolls on vessels traversing the Strait of Hormuz.

Strait of Hormuz toll controversy escalates

The Iranian supreme leader has signaled Tehran will retain “control” over the narrow waterway, a claim that clashes with longstanding norms of free passage. U.S. officials describe the channel as “wide open,” yet acknowledge that ↓ 20,000 mariners remain idle in the Persian Gulf, fearful of Iranian interdiction. A Financial Times report cited a fee of $1 per barrel, payable in cryptocurrency, prompting Trump to warn “they better stop now.”

“Iran is doing a very poor job… that is not the agreement we have!”

Energy markets reacted sharply; Brent climbed to ↑ $100 a barrel, according to Reuters. Sultan Al Jaber of ADNOC warned on LinkedIn that “the Strait of Hormuz is not open,” underscoring the geopolitical squeeze on 25% of global seaborne oil. The looming peace talks in Islamabad face a test: will Iran leverage the strait for compensation, or will diplomatic pressure reopen the route? Bloomberg tracks the standoff as both sides brace for further escalation.

Intel provided by Elara Vance (Night-Shift Breaking News Lead).