'Oil Will Flow, With or Without Iran': Trump's Hormuz Toll Warning Amid Fragile Truce

Washington: Even after the ceasefire announcement between the US and Iran, tensions are not decreasing. Now US President Donald Trump has issued a new warning within 24 hours of the ceasefire. On Thursday, Trump warned Iran not to impose any toll on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Along with this, he said that “very quickly, you’ll see Oil start flowing, with or without the help of Iran.”

Trump's warning comes when Iran has agreed to reopen the energy waterway passing through the Strait of Hormuz under a two-week ceasefire. Initially, Iran has allowed only 15 ships to pass through the Strait per day, which will remain in effect during the ceasefire.

What did Trump warn?

In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Iran of doing a "very poor job" of managing the waterway through which 20 per cent of the global oil supply flows.

"Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonourable, some would say, of allowing oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz," said Trump, adding "That is not the agreement we have!"

“There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait — They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now,” President Trump warned.

What is there in another post?

In another post, Trump said that oil would begin flowing very quickly, with or without the help of Iran, 

In a post on Truth Social, Trump asserted that “very quickly, you’ll see Oil start flowing, with or without the help of Iran and, to me, it makes no difference, either way.”

What about Strait of Hormuz toll?

Amid the fragile ceasefire with the United States, Iran has agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 per cent of the world's crude oil passes.  If it reopens, transporting goods through it will be very expensive. Reports suggest that Tehran is preparing to impose a $1-per-barrel toll from every oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This toll will be collected in cryptocurrency.

This sea route had been virtually closed since the war began on February 28. After 40 days, the Strait of Hormuz reopened, but only briefly.

Will Iran impose toll?

According to media reports, Iran will now demand toll from shipping companies for oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, as it wants to maintain its control over it during the ceasefire.

Hamid Hosseini, a spokesperson for Iran's Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters' Union, told the Financial Times that Iran wants to charge tolls from every tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz and inspect every ship.

"Iran needs to monitor what goes in and out of the strait to ensure these two weeks aren’t used for transferring weapons," he said.