Trump Demands Reimbursement for U.S. Protection of Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump stated the U.S. will seek reimbursement for protecting the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil route and site of escalating tensions with Iran. In a Fox News interview, Trump said the U.S. has guarded the strait "for nothing" for years and will now "get paid" to act as its "guardian." He added that the U.S. would "keep the strait, and we'll probably run it."

Strait of Hormuz protection

• ▪Donald Trump referred to the U.S. as the "guardian of the strait" and potentially the "guardian angel of the strait."
• ▪According to Donald Trump, the U.S. has guarded the Strait of Hormuz "for nothing" for many years.
• ▪The Strait of Hormuz is a major oil-shipping route and the epicenter of a "re-escalating war with Iran."
• ▪Donald Trump said the U.S. will "keep the strait" and "probably run it."

Reimbursement demand

• ▪President Donald Trump stated on July 13, 2026, that the U.S. should be reimbursed for guarding the Strait of Hormuz.
• ▪Donald Trump stated the U.S. is "going to get paid for guarding" the Strait of Hormuz, adding it would be "A lot of money."
• ▪Donald Trump's statements were made during a phone interview with Fox News.

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