Trump Warns Iran: “Stop Restricting Oil Flow Through Hormuz”

Washington (IANS): U.S. President Donald Trump accused Iran today of violating a ceasefire agreement by restricting oil shipments and allegedly charging transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a characteristically blunt social media post, Trump claimed Iran is failing to honor the truce:

“Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump stated. “That is not the agreement we have!”

Friction Over Transit Fees

The President also reacted sharply to reports that Tehran has begun imposing tolls on passing tankers. While Trump himself previously suggested U.S.-led tolls for the waterway, he now demands Iran cease any fee collection immediately.

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

Despite the ceasefire, maritime reports indicate that only a handful of vessels have crossed the strategic chokepoint, fueling global concerns over energy security.

“It is a Victory”: Trump Hits Back at Critics

Trump used the opportunity to dismiss a Wall Street Journal editorial that labeled his Iran policy a “premature victory.”

• On Nuclear Ambitions: Trump asserted that because of his actions, “IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON.”

• On Oil Flow: He predicted oil would flow “very quickly” with or without Iran’s cooperation.

• On the Media: He slammed the Journal as “one of the worst and most inaccurate” editorial boards in the world.

The Stakes for Global Energy

Iran maintains that it allows safe passage only under specific “technical limitations” and military coordination—a stance analysts say matches Tehran’s pre-ceasefire position. However, for energy-dependent nations like India, the uncertainty is a major economic threat.

As a vital corridor linking the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz directly impacts:

1. Global Oil Prices: Supply chain bottlenecks cause immediate price spikes.

2. Inflation: Rising crude costs ripple through the global economy.

3. India’s Energy Security: India relies heavily on this route for its daily crude imports.