TEHRAN – Iran has always been the guardian of the Strait of Hormuz and will remain so forever, Iranian Foreign Minister Syyed Abbas Araghchi said in a statement amid ongoing exchange of strikes with the US.
He issued the statement after United States President Donald Trump announced the reinstatement of a blockade on Iran and imposed charges on vessels for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States would assume the role of “THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT.”
He added that, in the interest of what he described as fairness, the US would seek reimbursement equivalent to 20% of the value of all cargo transported through the strait to cover the costs of maintaining safety and security in the volatile maritime corridor. Trump said the process of implementing the plan would begin immediately.
Araghchi, in a post on X, wrote: “POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service”.
POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service.
Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER.
20% is of course too much. We will be fair
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) July 13, 2026
“Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER. 20% is of course too much. We will be fair,” he added.
US Forces Complete New Strikes on Iranian Military Targets
US Central Command (CENTCOM) completed the latest wave of strikes against Iran at 10:15 p.m. ET on July 13.
During the five-hour mission, U.S. forces successfully struck military targets across Iran including Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas to further degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping. CENTCOM forces employed precision munitions against Iranian coastal defense systems, missile and drone sites, and maritime capabilities.
At 4:45 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command began launching the third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, at the Commander in Chief’s direction. These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 13, 2026
More than 50,000 U.S. service members are currently deployed across the Middle East. American forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready.
On the other hand, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted weapons warehouses, satellite communications center and a U.S. forces’ housing building at Bahrain’s Juffair base.
