Trump scraps 20% Strait of Hormuz tax, imposes total blockade on Iranian ports after renewed strikes

Ceasefire collapses and hostilities resume

The United States initially imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports in mid‑April 2026, then suspended it in June after Washington and Tehran struck an interim ceasefire. That deal gave negotiators 60 days to reach a broader peace accord and address Iran’s nuclear programme. Talks soon stalled, however, and the stand‑off in the Strait of Hormuz reignited. On the night of 13 July, for the third consecutive night, American forces launched strikes on Iranian coastal defence systems, missile and drone installations, and maritime assets. The US Central Command said the operations were designed to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial and civilian ships. Iran confirmed the attacks but gave no casualty figures of its own.

In retaliation, Tehran fired at targets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan and hit three oil tankers traversing the strait. The International Maritime Organization reported that two sailors were killed and 14 others wounded aboard the UAE‑associated vessels Mombasa and Al Bahiyah. Abu Dhabi warned that it reserves the right to respond.

Trump reverses course on tax, courts Gulf investments

Late on Monday the White House announced a 20 percent fee on the value of all cargo passing through the strait, arguing that the United States deserved compensation for securing the waterway. By Tuesday afternoon, however, Donald Trump had walked the plan back. In a post on Truth Social he wrote that, following “extremely productive conversations with leaders in the Middle East,” the tax would be replaced by “trade and investment agreements that the various Gulf states will conclude with the United States.”

Oil is flowing like never before, thanks to the impressive power of the United States military. A special salute to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, and the head of US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper. Because of them and all the members of the most powerful military in the world, BY FAR, the Strait of Hormuz is open to ALL ships except Iranian ones — and that because of their lying, violent and malevolent leadership, which is leading them down the path of TOTAL DESTRUCTION.

Trump said the resulting Gulf investments would be “MASSIVE.” No details were given about how the original levy would have been collected.

Total blockade targets Iranian ports

Despite the tax reversal, the administration pressed ahead with reimposing the blockade on Iran. It entered force on 14 July at 20:00 GMT (23:00 local time in Romania). Under the order, vessels that arrive in or depart from Iranian ports, or that carry any Iranian‑linked goods, are barred from passage. All other traffic through the strait remains unrestricted. Deputy Iranian Foreign Minister for legal and international affairs Kazem Gharibabadi accused Washington of trying to prevent Tehran from exercising what he called “effective sovereignty” over the strait, reiterating the regime’s longstanding claim that it has the right to manage traffic there.

Tanker attacks kill two, injure 14

The strikes on the tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, which the International Maritime Organization linked to the United Arab Emirates, left two sailors dead and 14 wounded. Abu Dhabi signalled that it may retaliate, without specifying when or how. The incidents were the most lethal against commercial shipping in the strait since the truce fell apart.

Oil markets swing on reversal

Crude prices gyrated in response. Brent futures briefly surged past $87 a barrel, their highest level since the flare‑up began, before tumbling to about $78 after Trump announced the tax would be scrapped. The strait remains a critical artery: roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies flow through it, making any prolonged disruption a direct threat to the global economy.

Pakistan pushes for new talks

With the 60‑day ceasefire in tatters and both sides exchanging fire, Pakistan has launched a mediation effort aimed at bringing American and Iranian negotiators back to the table. Whether the diplomatic opening can gain traction amid the latest escalation is unclear.