President Donald J. Trump issued a statement on July 13, 2026, declaring the United States as the "Guardian of the Hormuz Strait" and announcing the reinstatement of what he called the "Iranian Blockade." Under the policy, only Iranian ships and their customers would be barred from passage, while all other nations would have "fair and open use" of the strait. The U.S. will charge a 20% reimbursement fee on all cargo shipped through the area. Trump wrote:

The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran. 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. The process and formation will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP