Iran says it will remain Hormuz's guardian as US orders renewed blockade of Iranian ports

13/07/2026

Iran says it will remain Hormuz's guardian as US orders renewed blockade of Iranian ports

TEHRAN / WASHINGTON, Jul 13: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Monday that Iran would remain the "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz, pushing back against U.S. President Donald Trump's assertion that the United States would assume that role and charge fees for securing commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.

In a post on X, Araghchi said Trump was correct that countries ensuring safe passage through the strait should be compensated.

“POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service,” he wrote.

“Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER,” Araghchi added. “20% is of course too much. We will be fair.”

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that its forces would resume blockading maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports beginning at 4 p.m. ET on July 14, acting on Trump's orders.

“CENTCOM forces will enforce the blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas,” the command said in a statement posted on X.

CENTCOM said it would continue to support vessels operating in regional waters that were not violating the blockade and advised mariners in the Gulf of Oman and near the approaches to the Strait of Hormuz to closely monitor navigational warnings.

The latest statements further escalate tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route through which a significant share of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports passes.