13.07.2026 23:50
President Donald Trump has officially declared war against Iran. Stating that the operation has been reported to Congress, Trump said, "The second Iran operation has begun, we will strike very hard tonight and tomorrow."
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the temporary ceasefire process with Iran has officially ended and military operations will resume. Trump declared war.
TRUMP: WE WILL HIT IRAN VERY HARD
In his statement, Trump said: "The second Iran operation has begun, we will hit very hard tonight and tomorrow. The operation has been reported to Congress. The agreement with Iran was a test, they did not abide by it. Iran has gone completely crazy. We hit, Iran only talks."
Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that, following President Donald Trump's orders, the naval blockade of Iranian ports will be reinstated. The statement indicated that the blockade, which will target all commercial maritime traffic entering and leaving Iran, will take effect at 23:00 Turkish time tomorrow.
BLOCKADE ON IRANIAN PORTS RESUMES
The statement included the following: "By order of the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces will resume the blockade of maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports at 16:00 (ET / Eastern Time Zone) on July 14.
CENTCOM forces will firmly enforce the blockade on vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas. The U.S. military continues to support traffic flow in regional waters for all vessels that do not violate the blockade.
The U.S. reinstatement of the blockade against Iran follows the initial enforcement period between April 13 and June 18. During the two-month period, CENTCOM forces turned away over 140 compliant vessels, neutralized 9 non-compliant vessels, and allowed more than 50 commercial vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass through the blockade.
All mariners are advised to follow 'Notice to Mariners' publications and to contact U.S. naval forces via bridge-to-bridge channel 16 while operating in the Gulf of Oman and approaches to the Strait of Hormuz. Additional information will be provided to commercial mariners through an official bulletin."
MUTUAL ATTACKS
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that four explosions were heard east of the city of Bandar Abbas. Iran announced that it had destroyed 2 U.S. drones over Bandar Abbas and Lar. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck a vessel attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. It was also reported that the U.S. Air Force struck Iran's Chabahar and Konarak ports.
TRUMP'S STATEMENT ON HORMUZ
Explaining the commercial terms of the said military siege, Trump stated that all vessels using the strait will henceforth be subject to a 20 percent deduction.
"WE WILL TAKE A 20 PERCENT SHARE FROM EVERY PASSAGE"
Trump said in his statement: "The Strait of Hormuz is open, and it will remain open with or without Iran. We are reinstating what we call the Iran blockade because it only blocks the entry and exit of Iranian ships or their customers. All other countries will use the strait fairly and openly. From now on, the U.S. will be known as the 'Guardian of the Strait of Hormuz'; but, in fairness and in that capacity, in return for covering any and all expenses required to provide security and safety in this highly unstable region of the world, it will collect a 20 percent fee on all cargo transported. The process and structure will begin immediately. Thank you for your interest in this matter!"
"IRAN BROKE THE AGREEMENT"
Using harsh language against the Tehran administration, Trump said, "Iranians are bad people. We had an agreement, but Iran broke it."
IRAN: WE WILL NOT ALLOW
Following Trump's headline-making statement, attention turned to Iran, which responded: "We will not allow the U.S. to interfere in the management of the Strait of Hormuz." The statement added, "Countries cooperating with the U.S. will be considered as having declared war on Iran."
ARAKCHI: THE GUARDIAN OF HORMUZ IS IRAN
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded sarcastically to U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that they would collect a 20 percent transit fee on all cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Foreign Minister Araghchi shared on his account on the U.S.-based X company's social media platform regarding Trump's statements about the Strait of Hormuz.
Araghchi stated: "The U.S. President is absolutely right. Whoever ensures the safe and secure passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for that service."
Stating that "the guardian of the Strait of Hormuz is Iran and will remain so forever," Araghchi mocked Trump's statement by saying, "20 percent is, of course, too much. We will be fair."
U.S. President Donald Trump had announced that the U.S. naval blockade against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz was reinstated and that a 20 percent transit fee would be charged for all cargo passing through the strait.
Highlighting the cost of ensuring security in the region, Trump stated, "Within the scope of all necessary expenses for ensuring security and safety in this highly unstable region of the world, a 20 percent transit fee will be collected on all cargo passing through the strait."