Trump says Strait of Hormuz will reopen shortly, says Iran cannot charge toll

President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz would reopen to oil traffic in the near future, declaring that Iran cannot charge tolls for passage through the international waterway. The statement was made from the White House as diplomatic talks aimed at de-escalating regional tensions commenced. Trump emphasized his administration's goal of ensuring the free flow of global oil supplies through the Persian Gulf, regardless of Tehran's cooperation. The announcement comes amid heightened military and economic pressure on Iran, following a series of incidents involving tankers in the Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil passes. Trump's comments signal a firm stance that the United States, likely with allied naval support, will enforce freedom of navigation and reject any Iranian attempts to control or tax the transit of commercial vessels. This development is directly tied to the opening of new negotiations to end what the administration terms the 'Iran conflict,' which has seen tit-for-tat attacks and a significant U.S. military buildup in the region. By publicly stating the strait will reopen shortly, Trump is applying maximum leverage at the start of talks, framing the issue as non-negotiable and positioning the U.S. as the guarantor of global energy security. The move underscores a policy of confronting Iranian influence while seeking to stabilize oil markets.