Key Points
- Donald Trump said the United States could take control of operations in the Strait of Hormuz and expects other countries to pay Washington for protecting the waterway.
- In remarks to Fox News, Trump said the U.S. would “guard it” and be “reimbursed” for putting American personnel in danger.
- Trump accused Iran of violating the memorandum of understanding reached between Washington and Tehran on 18 June.
- Iran’s military rejected any U.S. role in managing the Strait of Hormuz and warned that Washington’s actions could seriously damage regional security.
- The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said it would respond forcefully to any move disrupting commercial shipping and oil tanker traffic.
- Iran also warned regional countries against cooperating with U.S. military activity in the strait.
Washington (Evening Washington News) July 13, 2026 – Fox News reported on Monday, 13 July 2026, that Donald Trump said the United States could take control of operations in the Strait of Hormuz and would expect other countries to pay for its protection. In the interview, Trump said, “We’re going to guard it. We’re going to get paid for guarding it — a lot of money.
We want to be reimbursed for putting our people in danger,” according to Fox News’ report.
Trump also said the U.S. would be the “guardian angel” for the waterway and repeated that Washington should be reimbursed for the role, according to the same report.
His comments immediately raised the stakes around one of the world’s most sensitive shipping routes, through which major oil and commercial traffic passes.
Why is the Strait of Hormuz important?
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic waterway linking the Gulf to the open sea, making it central to global energy and trade flows.
Any disruption there can affect oil tanker traffic, shipping confidence and regional military calculations.
Trump’s remarks matter because they suggest a more direct U.S. role in securing the passage, not just supporting maritime safety from a distance.
The statement also framed the issue as one of financial burden-sharing, with Trump saying Washington should not bear the risk without payment.
What did Trump accuse Iran of doing?
Trump accused Iran of breaking the memorandum of understanding reached between Washington and Tehran on 18 June. He said,
“We had a deal. They always break it. We’re just going to hit them very hard. We’ll probably run the Strait,”
according to Fox News.
Those comments linked the shipping route to wider tensions between the two countries. Trump’s language suggested that the waterway could become part of a broader confrontation over enforcement, security and power in the region.
How did Iran respond?
Iran’s military issued a sharp warning in response, saying it “does not and will not allow” the United States to interfere in the management of the Strait of Hormuz.
The statement, carried by state broadcaster IRIB, was issued by the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.
The Iranian military said Washington’s “repeated adventures” in trying to interfere with the strait had seriously jeopardised regional security.
It also warned that any action disrupting commercial shipping and oil tanker traffic would be met severely.
What did Iran warn other countries?
Iran’s military said it would “deal severely” with any U.S. military presence outside designated routes and without authorisation from Iran’s armed forces.
It also warned regional countries not to cooperate with U.S. military activity in the Strait of Hormuz.
That warning suggests Tehran wants to deter not only direct U.S. intervention but also any regional support for such a role.
The statement expands the dispute beyond a bilateral U.S.-Iran issue and places pressure on neighbouring states that rely on stable shipping routes.
What happens next?
The immediate effect of Trump’s remarks is likely to be further tension around the strait and increased scrutiny of any military or diplomatic moves linked to it.
Because the waterway is so important to shipping and energy markets, even statements about control and protection can carry economic and security consequences.
The Iranian response shows that Tehran views the issue as a sovereignty matter, not just a security arrangement. That makes any future talks or maritime coordination more difficult if both sides continue to speak in such hard terms.
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Background of the development
The Strait of Hormuz has long been a flashpoint because it is a narrow but highly important passage for international shipping.
Disputes over freedom of navigation, military patrols and regional influence have repeatedly brought the area into the centre of U.S.-Iran tensions.
This latest exchange follows a period of heightened pressure over maritime security and Iran’s role in the region. Trump’s comments added a new layer by suggesting the United States might not only protect the route but also seek operational control and payment for doing so.
What is the prediction for affected audiences?
For shipping companies and oil-market participants, the likely effect is more caution, tighter risk assessments and potential price sensitivity if the rhetoric turns into action.
For Gulf states and regional governments, the issue may force them to balance security cooperation with Washington against Iran’s warnings.
For the wider public, especially consumers affected by fuel and transport costs, any rise in tension around the strait could matter if shipping routes or tanker traffic are disrupted.
If neither side moderates its language, the dispute may continue to feed uncertainty around one of the world’s most important maritime corridors.
