politics
Trump Opposes Tolls in Strait of Hormuz, Addresses Iran Nuclear Program
President Trump on Thursday voiced opposition to any toll system in the Strait of Hormuz and said the United States maintains a military blockade of Iranian ports. He also warned that Washington would take drastic steps if Iran does not abandon its nuclear ambitions.
May 21, 2:08 PM·1m read2 sources
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President Donald Trump on Thursday said the United States wants the Strait of Hormuz to remain free of tolls and described the waterway as an international passage. Trump spoke during a White House press availability while Iran and Oman discuss a possible permanent toll system to regulate traffic through the strait.
"We want it free. We don't want tolls," Trump said. He added that the United States exercises "total" control over the strait through a military blockade of Iranian ports and vessels. "The blockade has been 100 percent effective," he said.
Trump also pressed Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions and said Washington would seize the country's stockpile of enriched uranium. "We are going to either make sure they don't have a nuclear weapon, or we are going to have to do something very drastic," he said.
"We will get it. We don't need it. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a toll system would make any diplomatic agreement with Iran unacceptable. Bloomberg reported that Iran's Ambassador to France Mohammad Amin-Nejad confirmed talks with Oman about formalizing control of traffic through the strait.
The remarks come amid ongoing concerns over shipping disruptions through the waterway, which carries oil, natural gas, fertilizer and other commodities.
