'They better not be...better stop now': Trump says after Iran charging fees from tankers passing Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump on Thursday (April 9) warned that Iran ‘better stop now’ if it is charging fees to oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz. His comments on Truth Social further strained an already fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran, coming less than two days after it was reached. Trump said on Tuesday evening that the US would agree to a two-week suspension of hostilities with the Islamic Republic on the condition that it ensures “the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz.”

However, vessel traffic through the strategic waterway, responsible for roughly 20% of global oil supply, remains heavily restricted, continuing a disruption that began after the war started on February 28. Meanwhile, reports cited by the Financial Times suggest Iran is preparing to impose fees on shipping companies, payable in cryptocurrency, to allow passage through the strait. “There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait,” Trump wrote in Thursday’s post. “They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!” he wrote.

Also Read: 'Low IQ, stupid people and losers': Trump lashes out on Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones in Truth Social post

Very quickly, oil will start flowing, with or without the help of Iran: Trump

In another Truth Social post, Trump responded to criticism from The Wall Street Journal, rejecting the outlet’s claim that he had ‘declared premature victory in Iran’. “Very quickly, oil will start flowing, with or without Iran’s help,” Trump said, standing by his position that recent developments represent a clear victory. He dismissed the newspaper’s characterisation of his remarks as premature, arguing instead that the outcome is already decided.

“Because of me, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon,” he said, adding that oil markets would soon see increased flow regardless of Iran’s participation. Trump also criticised The Wall Street Journal, calling its editorial board consistently inaccurate and overly critical, and suggested the publication often fails to acknowledge when it is wrong.

That is not the agreement we have: Trump

Trump, in another post, said that Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable, some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz. That is not the agreement we have!.

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