U.S. President Trump posted on social media on the 9th, warning Iran not to charge fees to oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Since the outbreak of war with Iran, the Strait of Hormuz has been blockaded, resulting in the most severe global energy supply disruption in history.
Trump wrote: “There are reports that Iran is charging fees to oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz. They had better not do this, and if they have, they had better stop immediately.”
Media reports earlier suggested that Iran might be intending to charge a transit fee to vessels. Western leaders oppose the payment of any such fee.
After previously threatening to destroy Iran's entire civilization, Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran on the 7th of this month.
Under this fragile ceasefire situation, on the 9th, shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained at only about 10% of normal levels, with Tehran authorities warning ships to follow Iranian territorial sea routes to assert control.