United States President Donald Trump says the U.S. will seek financial compensation from wealthy nations for protecting the Strait of Hormuz, describing the strategic waterway as a vital global shipping route that American forces have secured for years.
Speaking during an interview on Fox and Friends, Trump said the United States would become the “guardian” of the strait and would no longer provide security without reimbursement.
He argued that American personnel risk their lives protecting the route and should be compensated for the role.
Trump’s remarks followed renewed military exchanges between the United States and Iran, raising fresh concerns over stability in the Middle East and the safety of global oil shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. president also criticised Iranian negotiators, claiming they attempted to change terms that had already been agreed upon during lengthy talks held over the weekend.
Trump said the discussions lasted about 11 hours before Iran requested further changes, although he did not disclose the details.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tehran was engaging mediators from Qatar, Pakistan and Oman in an effort to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
While Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, the United States maintains that the waterway remains open to international maritime traffic and is not under Iranian control.
