Image credit: Al Jazeera
President Donald Trump announced that the United States would blockade Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, charge a 20% fee on cargo transiting the waterway, and become the "Guardian of the Hormuz Strait." According to his Truth Social post, the United States would be reimbursed for providing security to commercial shipping.
The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway located between Iran and Oman. It is not American territory, and the United States has no sovereign authority over it.
The strait is not owned by any single country. Iran borders it to the north, while Oman borders it to the south, with a small section of the southwestern shoreline belonging to the United Arab Emirates. Iran and Oman each exercise sovereignty over their respective territorial seas, but the strait itself is an international strait governed by international maritime law.
Trump behaves like a mafia mob boss
Trump's proposal raises serious legal and diplomatic questions. Critics argue that demanding payment from commercial vessels for passage through an international waterway resembles coercion rather than legitimate maritime security. Supporters, on the other hand, contend that the United States is seeking compensation for protecting one of the world's most strategically important shipping lanes. Nevertheless, Trump is behaving like a mafia mob boss.
Under international maritime law, states bordering international straits generally may not impose tolls simply for the right of transit passage. They may, however, charge fees for specific services provided to vessels, such as pilotage, port services, or other assistance.
Who died and made Trump God?
Does Trump believe the United States has the authority to assume control over one of the world's most important international waterways? Declaring America, the "Guardian of the Hormuz Strait" is a bold claim but turning that declaration into reality would be extraordinarily difficult and potentially dangerous. It is like fishing in muddy waters—you never know what you are going to catch.
Mahmoud El-Yousseph is a Palestinian freelance writer and retired U.S. Air Force veteran. He writes on U.S. foreign policy, Middle East affairs, and justice.
"Reach out for those who ignored you, give to the one who deprived, and forgive those who oppressed you." ~ Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him)
