What happened
President Donald Trump said the United States was restoring a blockade on Iranian ports and would effectively take over security of the Strait of Hormuz, charging shipping for the service. The announcement also said the United States would be reimbursed at a 20% rate on cargo shipments.
The escalation followed a breakdown in an April ceasefire, with strikes by both sides and disputes over safe passage through the strait. Iran’s military warned the United States not to interfere and said Gulf states should not cooperate with Washington.
Background and earlier position
The Strait of Hormuz has long been a strategic maritime chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf to open seas. Even before the current escalation, the route was central to global energy flows because large volumes of oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and fertilizer trade pass through it.
What changed now
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