President Trump lashed out at Iran’s handling of the Strait of Hormuz since the two-week cease-fire came into force – claiming “That is not the agreement we have!”
“Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday.
The vital waterway, through which 20% of the world’s oil passes daily, has effectively been closed since the US and Israel launched their first attacks on Iran as part of “Operation Epic Fury” on Feb. 28.
Only nine ships passed through the Strait over the last 24 hours, according to data from the Hormuz Strait Monitor – way down on the daily average of 60 vessels.
Just three oil tankers, all under US sanctions, have passed through since the two-week provisional cease-fire on Wednesday, NBC News reported.
One of the tankers was hauling one million barrels of oil, another hadn’t been loaded, and no data was provided for the third tanker.
Tehran agreed to reopen the Strait under the 10-point ceasefire plan, which Washington described as “workable,” but Iranian officials have claimed they plan to charge vessels $2 million to pass through, the New York Times reported.
They said the money would be used to rebuild infrastructure damaged by the US and Israel.
Trump warned Iran to stop charging vessels if it is doing so.
“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!” he snapped.
Trump’s blistering rebuke came after he didn’t rule out a US-Iran toll collection joint venture.
“We’re thinking of doing it as a joint venture,” Trump told ABC reporter Jonathan Karl when probed.
“It’s a way of securing it — also securing it from lots of other people. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Trump previously claimed there was “big money” to be made after securing the ceasefire – boasting it could lead to what he branded The Golden Age of the Middle East.
Shipping experts have warned how a toll booth system in the Strait could set a dangerous precedent.
“Freedom of navigation has always been recognized, including specifically in straits,” maritime expert Philippe Delebecque said.
“The concern is if the Strait of Hormuz could be closed, then why not the Strait of Gibraltar between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, or the Strait of Malacca off Indonesia?”
Julien Raynaut, the head of the French Association of Maritime Law, said if Iran introduces a tollbooth, then China could roll out similar restrictions when it comes to the Taiwan Strait.
With Post wires.
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