Trump warns Iran against Hormuz shipping curbs and tanker fees

Washington: US President Donald Trump accused Iran of breaching a ceasefire by restricting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and warned against charging fees on passing tankers.

“Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump posted on social media. “That is not the agreement we have!”

The comments follow reports of scant vessel traffic since the truce, heightening fears over flows through this vital global chokepoint. Trump also targeted alleged Iranian transit fees: “They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!”

Despite the ceasefire, tensions simmer, with no clear US response planned. Trump, who once suggested US tolls on the strait, claimed fresh awareness of Iran's moves.

Iran insists safe passage is feasible if coordinated with its military amid “technical limitations”, aligning with its pre-ceasefire position.

Trump brushed off The Wall Street Journal's claim of a “premature victory” in Iran: “Actually, it is a Victory, and there’s nothing ‘premature’ about it! Because of me, IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON and, very quickly, you’ll see Oil start flowing, with or without the help of Iran and, to me, it makes no difference, either way.”

He slammed the paper's editorial board as “one of the worst and most inaccurate ‘Editorial Boards’ in the World”, predicting they would “live to eat their words”.

The spat highlights ceasefire uncertainties, especially maritime access—Iran had sought Hormuz control in talks, a flashpoint for energy markets.

The strait, linking the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, channels a huge slice of global seaborne crude. Disruptions threaten importers like India, where Gulf stability underpins energy security, oil prices, supply chains, inflation, and growth.

(Inputs from IANS)