US President Donald Trump has demanded Gulf countries to pay the US for helping protect the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump also announced what he described as another major attack on Iran as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise.
Trump said countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain should reimburse the U.S. for providing security in the strategically important waterway. He argued that America is spending substantial resources to protect the region despite not relying on its oil supplies, noting that the U.S. produces more oil than any other nation.
Earlier Monday, Trump announced the U.S. would become the “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz and reimpose a naval blockade against Iran.
He proposed a 20 percent fee on commercial transit through the strait to offset the costs of maintaining security.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected Trump’s claim, insisting Iran has always safeguarded the strait and should receive any compensation.
He called the proposed 20 percent fee excessive while maintaining that Iran remains the waterway’s rightful guardian.
