[92050] Trump threatens to impose transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz if no agreement is reached

Trump threatens to impose transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz

In a series of statements widely reported in Arab media on June 20, 2026, US President Donald Trump threatened to change the rules of the game in the Strait of Hormuz. According to واحد العراق, Trump stated that no transit fees would be imposed during a 60-day "ceasefire" period, but left the door open for their imposition afterward if an agreement is not reached.

In reports conveyed by קناة الجزيرة and other media outlets, Trump clarified that if fees are imposed, they will be "for the purpose of recouping past, present, and future costs," as the US functions as the "guardian of the Middle East." Sources identified with a consistent line of opposition to US policy, such as שـبكــة اليمن الإخبارية, described his words bluntly as the action of a figure they labeled "the madman" (the crazy one), highlighting his intention to impose fees for the sake of American interests.

רוوداو عربية reported that the fees would be subject to the United States not reaching an agreement acceptable to it, which would require the relevant countries to pay for the "services" that the US has provided as a protective force in the region. This position reflects a Trumpist approach to foreign relations based on economic viability and return on investment.

The coverage of the event is notable for its scope in regional media, as channels such as سبوتنيك عربي and أخبار السعودية emphasized the 60-day timeframe. While some reports, such as that of الشرق للأخبار - فلسطين, presented the matters concisely, other channels chose to emphasize the threatening tone and the American demand to settle economic accounts with the countries of the region.