On Monday, following sudden attacks on two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) blamed Iran for the incident. The attacks resulted in one death and eight injuries. Amid rising tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new blockade of the waterway and imposed a 20% tax on vessels passing through it. The president stated that Iran is being “firmly struck,” with the U.S. military reporting attacks against Iran for the third consecutive night.
Immediately after Trump’s blockade announcement, Iran’s foreign minister echoed the president’s own words, affirming Tehran’s role as the “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz. The dispute over control of this crucial waterway threatens to undermine ongoing efforts to end hostilities between the two sides. Nevertheless, Trump maintained that a deal remains possible. The UAE strongly condemned the attacks after Iranian cruise missiles targeted its two national tankers in international waters on Monday, resulting in the death of an Indian sailor. Among the injured, six were Indian and two Ukrainian nationals, the UAE Ministry of Defense communicated via their social media account X.
“The Ministry of Defense strongly condemns these attacks that seriously violate international law and jeopardize the security and stability of the region,” the statement read. Control of the Strait of Hormuz remains a central point of tension between the U.S. and Iran. Previously, Trump had announced on the social platform Truth Social the reinstatement of maritime blockades against Iranian ports and the imposition of a 20% fee on all cargo vessels traversing the Strait.
Explaining this move, Trump stated, “This will prevent Iranian ships or their clients from passing through this critical waterway, while all other countries will still be able to use the open sea route.” He declared, “From now on, the United States will be recognized as the guardian of the Strait of Hormuz. However, a 20% tax will be applied to all cargo ships as part of this duty.” Trump justified the fee as a means to cover the costs of providing security in this volatile region. Speaking with reporters at the White House, he emphasized that the offensive against Iran continues robustly.
“Their offensive capabilities have been hampered. We control the waterway,” he said. Regarding the prospects of peace talks between the two nations, he commented, “Yes, I believe a deal is possible. Maybe.” In response to the U.S. military strikes, Iranian forces launched attacks on American military sites in Kuwait. Reacting to Trump’s declaration on the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X: “(U.S. President) is absolutely right. Whoever ensures safe transit of commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz deserves to collect a service fee.” He added, “Iran has always been and will remain the guardian of this waterway.”
“However, a 20% tax is excessive. We will impose an appropriate fee,” Araghchi noted.
