Trump insists on rejecting Iran's charge of the Strait of Hormuz

JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump said Washington would not allow Iran to charge ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump even claimed that the United States would be the party that would collect the fee.

"It has to be. I won't let them charge. If anyone is going to charge, we will," Trump said, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 4.

The statement was made when Trump was asked about the possibility of Iran reopening full free shipping access in the waterway.

On June 18, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding to end the conflict that began on February 28.

However, on July 8, Trump declared the ceasefire no longer in effect.

Since then, the United States military has launched several waves of attacks against Iran.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said the attack was in response to Iranian actions against merchant vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran then retaliated by launching attacks on US military bases in a number of countries in the Middle East.

On July 12, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until the United States stopped intervening in the region.

The next day, Trump declared the United States would be the "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz.

He also announced the reintroduction of a blockade on Iranian ports.