On Monday the 13th, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would take control of the Strait of Hormuz and keep it open to the world, stating that the U.S. must be compensated for the costs of maintaining control over this maritime passage.

In a post on Truth Social that day, President Trump stated, "The Strait of Hormuz is open, and it will remain open regardless of Iran’s participation. We are initiating ‘THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE.’ It is named as such because this blockade restricts only the entry and exit of Iranian vessels and their customers."

He added, "Every other nation will be able to use this strait fairly and freely. From now on, the United States will be known as 'THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT.' However, to be fair and fitting for that status, we will be reimbursed for all costs necessary to provide safety and security in this region, which is the most unstable in the world, at a rate of 20% of the value of all cargo shipped. The establishment of relevant procedures and systems will begin immediately."

Earlier, in a phone interview with Fox News' 'Fox & Friends,' President Trump said, "We will keep the strait open, and we will probably be the ones running it. We might be called the guardian angels of the strait. And we deserve to be compensated for that."

While the international community has been calling on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, Iran has consistently expressed its intent to gain control over the waterway. Consequently, Iran has faced international condemnation for attacking vessels navigating without its permission.

The U.S. has asserted that Iran’s claims of navigational control lack any practical capability, stating that more than 800 ships have already passed through the strait with the assistance of the U.S. military since early May.

Following an unauthorized transit incident on Saturday the 11th, the Iranian government announced the closure of the waterway. On Sunday the 12th, they stated that the transit ban remained in effect and that permits would be issued only once "stability and calm" were restored.

However, President Trump remarked, "We had a deal; it was a done deal, and they broke it. They always break their promises. We have made deals with these people 10 times, but this time, we will hit them hard."

The previously signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) on a ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. stipulated that Iran must fully restore the Strait of Hormuz to its prior state. This implies a return to the days when an average of 120 ships passed through daily, without any requirements for transit fees or passage permits.

Since the signing of the MOU, Iran has declared that it would impose transit fees after 60 days, established a state-run insurance company, and threatened to attack any ships that did not obtain transit permits prior to that timeframe.

In a statement on Monday the 13th, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that the only way to restore regular shipping through the strait is for the U.S. to cease its military intervention, cautioning that "continued interference could lead to larger incidents in the global oil and gas sectors."

Iran has fueled a rise in global oil prices by announcing attacks on U.S. military facilities across the Persian Gulf and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

President Trump has announced he will deliver an address to the nation on Thursday the 16th at 9:00 PM (EST).

U.S. NNP = Representative Reporter Sung Ku Hong / Special Syndicate for this publication NNP info@newsandpost.com