16.07.2026 10:21
Iran's Supreme Leader's senior advisor Ali Akbar Velayati declared that the Strait of Hormuz belongs to Iran and no power can take away this sovereignty. US President Trump had said, "We are taking the Strait of Hormuz. We will be the guardian of the strait," and claimed that a 20% fee would be charged from ships passing through the strait.
US President Donald Trump's statement, "We are taking the Strait of Hormuz. We will be the guardian of the strait," drew a response from Ali Akbar Velayati, the Senior Advisor to Iran's leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. Velayati said, "The Strait of Hormuz belongs to Iran and no world power can take it from Iran's sovereignty."
According to Iran's state television, Velayati, the Senior Advisor to Khamenei, stated that the Strait of Hormuz, which is in the US's sights, belongs to Iran.
"A VALUABLE GAIN OF THE WAR"
In his statement, Velayati assessed, "The Strait of Hormuz belongs to Iran, and no power in the world can take the Strait of Hormuz from Iran's sovereignty. This strait was brought under Iran's sovereignty by the brave and wise order of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei as a valuable gain of a 40-day war."
WHAT DID TRUMP SAY?
US President Trump said, "We are taking the Strait of Hormuz. We will be the guardian of the strait," stating that the US would take control of the Strait of Hormuz and should be compensated for its costs of keeping this vital waterway under control.
In a phone interview with Fox News' "Fox & Friends" program, Trump said, "We will hold the strait and probably take over its management. We will be the guardian of the strait. Maybe we'll call it the 'guardian angel of the strait.'"
Arguing that they should be paid to protect the strait, Trump said, "We had an agreement and Iran broke it. We will charge a fee to protect the Strait of Hormuz."
"WE WILL TAKE A 20 PERCENT TRANSIT FEE"
Later, Trump also posted on his social media account, saying, "The Strait of Hormuz is open and will remain open whether Iran likes it or not. We are reinstating the Iranian blockade. This blockade will only prevent Iranian ships or their customers from entering or exiting the Strait. All other countries will be able to use the Strait fairly and freely. From today, the US will be referred to as the 'guardian of the Strait of Hormuz.' However, for the security costs of this duty, a 20 percent transit fee will be collected from all cargo transported through the region. This practice will begin immediately."