President Trump [AP=Yonhap News File Photo]

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on the 20th (local time) that the United States could impose a transit fee for the Strait of Hormuz if a final peace agreement with Iran is not reached.

On his social media platform Truth Social, President Trump said, "There will be no tolls in the Strait of Hormuz during the 60-day ceasefire period, and there will be no tolls after the 60 days have expired."

He added, "However, an exception would be if a final agreement is not reached, in which case the United States would impose them (tolls) by and for itself, for the purpose of recovering costs incurred in the past, present, and future in exchange for the services provided by the United States as the guardian angel of Middle Eastern nations."

Previously, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on ending the war signed between the U.S. and Iran included provisions for the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz and stated that Iran would not impose tolls "for a period of 60 days." This led to speculation that Iran might begin imposing tolls once the 60-day deadline passed.

President Trump's remarks on this day are interpreted as drawing a line against the prospect of Iran imposing tolls after the ceasefire ends, while suggesting that if a final agreement is not reached, the U.S. might instead impose tolls to recover its own costs.