The global Strait of Hormuz energy shipping crisis remains unresolved as United States President Donald Trump said the strategic waterway will reopen “fairly soon" even as tensions continue over Iranian actions affecting global maritime traffic ahead of US–Iran talks in Pakistan.
Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force In Maryland, US President Donald Trump said Washington would not accept what he described as Iran’s imposition of a “de facto toll booth system” on shipping in the vital waterway, reports Al Jazeera.
“We will have that open fairly soon,” US President Donald Trump said, adding that the United States would “open up the Gulf” with assistance from other countries if necessary. However, he did not provide details on how the waterway would be unblocked.
The US president warned that Iran would not be allowed to charge vessel owners fees for safe passage through the strait, saying, “If they are doing that, we’re not going to let that happen.”
US President Donald Trump linked the dispute to wider negotiations, saying the priority of any peace agreement would be ensuring Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons. “No nuclear weapons, that’s 99 per cent of it,” he said, adding that the strait would “open automatically” under such a deal.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints, has remained partially disrupted despite a two-week ceasefire announced earlier this week between the United States and Iran. Shipping traffic continues to operate at reduced levels, with maritime tracking data showing only limited daily transits and hundreds of vessels reportedly delayed or stranded in the Gulf.
Iran has indicated it may introduce transit fees for vessels passing through the strait, a move that has raised concerns among global energy and shipping stakeholders. Analysts say Iran continues to exert significant control over a “safe corridor” for selected maritime traffic, despite ongoing diplomatic engagement.
US Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Pakistan for negotiations involving Iranian representatives aimed at reaching a more durable settlement to the crisis. However, officials from both sides have offered differing accounts of potential terms ahead of the talks, reflecting continuing diplomatic uncertainty.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical artery for global energy flows, and any sustained disruption continues to affect oil prices, shipping insurance costs and global supply chain stability.
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