US President Donald Trump stated on the Truth Social platform that Iran has pledged not to charge fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. However, Trump added that such fees could be imposed by the United States.
60-day ceasefire period
Trump said, "During the Ceasefire Period, there will be NO FEE in the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days and there will be NO FEE after the 60-day period is over." He continued his statement by adding the condition, "unless imposed by and for the United States."
This statement is seen as the latest sign that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on Wednesday may be in jeopardy. According to the agreement, the strait was to be reopened for traffic for a 60-day interim period, during which Iran was prohibited from charging passage fees.
Claim that Iran closed the strait
On Saturday, Iran's joint military command announced it had closed the Strait of Hormuz due to an "obvious violation" of the memorandum's commitments. The US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees military operations in the region, denied this report, arguing that traffic continues to flow through the strait.
The Strait of Hormuz has long been a flashpoint in the conflict between the US and Iran. Approximately 20 percent of the world's oil and natural gas and about 30 percent of global fertilizer trade is transported through this strait.
Trump's fee idea
Trump is not raising the idea of the strait being subject to fees by the US for the first time. In April, he also told reporters, "Why shouldn't we charge a fee? I'd rather do that than have them do it. Why shouldn't we? We're the winners. We won."
In his post on Saturday, Trump wrote that such a fee would provide compensation for the services the US provides as the "Protecting Angel of Middle Eastern countries" for the purpose of repaying "past, present, and future costs."
Future of negotiations
The memorandum was not designed as a long-term agreement and serves as a starting point for negotiations on fundamental issues, including the future of Iran's nuclear program.
Follow-up talks between the US and Iran, facilitated by Pakistan, are scheduled to begin on Sunday in Switzerland. The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that an Iranian delegation headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has already arrived for the negotiations.
On the US side, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Vice President JD Vance are expected to participate.
