The conflict between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz is continuing, through both weapons and threats, with the waterway now the main focus of a war that, before it began, was freely navigable. Now, however, it appears that whatever the outcome of the war, ships will have to pay for transit. It is well known that the Iranians already charge a form of toll, but now the Americans are also considering doing so. On 13 July, President Trump told Fox News first that he had reactivated the blockade of the strait for ships linked to Iran, then that the United States would become its “guardians”, and finally that it would request a “reimbursement” from ships equal to 20% of the value of their cargo, a figure far higher than the flat fee of $2m demanded by Iran. For a large oil tanker, 20% would amount to around $32m.
Meanwhile, military activity is continuing on both fronts. The United States is pressing ahead with attacks on Iranian territory, including one on the port of Bandar Abbas, while the Iranians are responding with missiles targeting US bases in Arab countries and ships in transit deemed “unauthorised”. On the evening of 13 July, the Ministry of Defence of the United Arab Emirates announced that two tankers, the Mombasa and the Al Bahiyah, had been hit by Iranian cruise missiles, killing one crew member and injuring eight others. Meanwhile, the price of oil has started to rise again and has exceeded $80 a barrel.
