New Delhi, July 15: U.S. President Donald Trump has reversed his decision to impose a 20% toll on ships passing through the Hormuz Strait. Instead, he has announced new trade and investment agreements with Middle Eastern countries.
Trump stated that rather than focusing on toll fees, the aim is to promote significant investments from Gulf nations, benefiting both the U.S. and these countries. He emphasized that a blockade would still be enforced, but only on vessels linked to Iran or carrying Iranian goods.
In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Based on very good and positive discussions with Middle Eastern leaders, I have decided to replace the 20% toll with trade and investment agreements. Under these agreements, various Gulf countries will invest in the U.S. These investments will be substantial and will also prove highly beneficial for these nations, strengthening their future.”
Trump further noted, “Oil production is at an all-time high, thanks to the incredible strength of the U.S. military. I salute Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Ken, and U.S. Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper. Because of them and all members of the world’s most powerful military, the Hormuz Strait is now open to all ships, except those linked to Iran, due to its deceitful, violent, and misguided leadership that is leading the country towards total ruin.”
He added that, as everyone knows, the largest dollar investment from any country in the U.S. already exists. However, these new investments will further increase that figure. We will see factories, plants, and new machinery arriving at historic levels, creating millions of well-paying American jobs.
Trump asserted that America is winning again, more than ever before. The era when Iran caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands, including 52,000 protesters, is over. Most importantly, Iran will never possess nuclear weapons.
It is worth noting that following Trump’s announcement of the 20% toll collection, voices of opposition emerged worldwide. Italy was the first to protest this toll collection, arguing that it is not a man-made structure, making tolls on this route unjustifiable.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told reporters at the Foreign Ministry, “We support freedom of movement on maritime routes. We oppose any charges in waterways where there are no man-made structures.”
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