Iranian Foreign Minister Responds to Trump's '20% Protection Fee': "Too Much, We Will Be Fair"

▲ Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi

After U.S. President Donald Trump declared that he would collect 20% of the value of cargo as a fee for protecting ships in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has responded by reiterating its own plan to collect transit fees.

Critics point out that Iran appears to be using President Trump's claim as a pretext to justify its de facto policy of collecting transit fees, which contradicts international law.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on X (formerly Twitter) on July 14 (local time), "The President of the United States is absolutely right. If anyone guarantees safe passage for merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz, they should be compensated for this service."

Minister Araghchi added, "Iran has always been the guardian of this strait and will remain so forever. Of course, 20% is too much. We (Iran) will be fair."

By doing so, Iran, which effectively controls the Strait of Hormuz, has explicitly revealed its intention to collect a service fee in the nature of a transit toll, while indirectly mocking the U.S. by suggesting it would set a lower rate.

Previously, President Trump stated on the social media platform Truth Social on July 13 that the U.S. military would collect 20% of the value of cargo loaded on civilian ships in exchange for guaranteeing their safety while passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)

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