For decades, the United States and its allies have poured billions of dollars into cyberattacks, assassinations of scientists, economically damaging sanctions and painstaking diplomacy to stem Iran’s nuclear ambitions.However, after a brutal month-long war with joint US-Israeli forces, Tehran may have received from the president something more deadly than any atomic bomb Donald Trump: Rule over the Strait of Hormuz.The United States and Iran reached a two-week conditional ceasefire on Wednesday, reopening a key chokepoint for Gulf oil and exports. Trump announced that he would “pause bombings and attacks on Iran” if Tehran clears shipping lanes through Hormuz.In the Truth Society post, he claimed the pause was justified because the U.S. military “has met and exceeded all military objectives.”This follows his earlier incendiary threats to wipe out Iran “overnight”, warning that “an entire civilization will die tonight and never rise again” – threats that drew global condemnation from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Pope Leo XIV.How Iran blocked the Strait of HormuzBefore the US-Iraq War, approximately 138 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz, transporting one-fifth of the world’s oil and important fertilizers for global crops.But as the conflict erupted, Iranian threats and attacks paralyzed nearly all traffic through the narrow choke point. Shipping volumes plummeted below 100 vessels in March.At the beginning of the blockade, Trump tried to resolve the issue through diplomatic efforts and back-channel conversations. When that strategy failed, he sent a thousand more troops to the Middle East and studied the possibility of a U.S. Navy escort for oil tankers.His frustration began to creep up on him, as evidenced by his expletive-laden Truth social post on Easter Sunday:“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day in Iran, both rolled into one. There won’t be anything like this! ! ! Open the fucking strait, you crazy bastard, or you’re going to live in hell – just watch! Praise be to Allah. President Donald J. Trump,” he added.However, Iran has an advantage on this vital artery, using cheap drones, mines and its location to conduct asymmetric warfare.“Safety Passage Charge”Iran is now reportedly trying to formally take control of the strait as part of a broader geopolitical strategy after weeks of conflict.Tehran wants authorities to impose transit fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz as part of proposals related to a potential long-term peace deal. According to officials, the fees will not be fixed but may vary depending on the type of vessel, nature of cargo and prevailing conditions.According to Reuters, Iran is also coordinating with regional mechanisms that may involve Oman to develop a framework that may require ships to obtain permission or licenses before being allowed to pass.Despite the ceasefire, shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz remained limited following the announcement. Analysts warned that ships and insurance companies are unlikely to resume normal traffic until they see continued safety signals, CNN reported.“The ceasefire is a necessary first step, but it does not mean an immediate normalization of commercial shipping in the Strait’s international shipping lanes,” said Charlie Brown, senior adviser for Dark Fleet Tracking and a former U.S. Navy officer.Shipowners are awaiting guidance from naval security channels, flag states and maritime war risk insurers before returning ships to the Channel. Iran has attacked at least 19 ships near the strait since the conflict began, hampering crude oil supplies to global markets.Iran’s foreign minister said that “safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible through coordination with Iran’s armed forces.”Joint Protocol with OmanIranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Garibaldi said last week that Tehran was drafting an agreement with Oman that would require ships to obtain permission and licenses to transit the strait, saying the move was intended to facilitate rather than restrict transit.Iran claims funds collected from the ships will be used for post-war reconstruction as the conflict caused widespread damage to the country’s defense, administrative and civilian infrastructure.At the time, Oman said it had held talks with Iran on options to ensure smooth transit but did not say whether any agreement had been reached.Fees will vary based on ship type, cargo and other unspecified prevailing conditions, the official said without elaborating.Iran’s ten-point ceasefire proposal includes a provision that would allow Tehran and Muscat to impose transit fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.But Oman refuted Iran’s request and said it “cannot impose tolls on crossing the Strait of Hormuz.”The Sultanate of Oman has signed an agreement guaranteeing no fees for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to Oman’s Transport Minister. The minister stressed Oman’s commitment to ensuring free and safe navigation at strategic chokepoints.The 34-kilometer stretch of water between Iran and Oman is considered an international waterway, and neither country has levied tolls in the past. The narrow bay of the Persian Gulf facilitates about a fifth of the world’s oil trade.Joint venture with the United States?Meanwhile, Trump said he was planning a “joint venture” with Iran to set up toll gates in the Strait of Hormuz after Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.Asked by ABC News reporter Jonathan Kahl if Trump would agree with Iran imposing tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the Republican leader responded: “We’re looking at doing it in a joint venture. It’s a way to protect it—and also protect it from many others. “Trump added: “It’s a beautiful thing.”The current situation therefore involves not only a fragile ceasefire but also the transfer of control of one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. What was originally intended to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions has now strengthened Tehran’s control over the world.
