West Asia war LIVE: Trump says U.S. is reinstating maritime blockade on Iran

President Donald Trump said that the United States has reinstated its maritime blockade on Iran and would be paid for guarding the Strait of Hormuz after declaring that it would be “taking over” the strategic waterway.

“We are reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving. All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait. The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as “THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social. 

The U.S. President’s comments came after US and Iranian attacks of a scale unseen since an April ceasefire in the conflict in the Middle East, adding to doubts about efforts to bring a permanent end to the war that has halted shipping through the strait.