Regarding Free Trade, Iran's Sharp Tariff on US Imports Triggers War to Disturb the Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump signed a 10 percent import tariff on a number of countries starting Tuesday, February 24, 2026, shortly after the US raised the tariff to 15 percent. (Wikimedia Commons-White House-Daniel Torok)

JAKARTA - Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stressed that the US-Israeli war against Iran was the trigger for the disruption of the world's energy carrier ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

He emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz was not closed only for ships to pass due to the increased military tensions in the region as a result of the massive US-Israeli attack on Iran since February 28.

"The Strait of Hormuz is not closed. Ships hesitate because insurance companies are afraid of the war of choice that you trigger - not Iran," Araghchi said on his X account, Monday, March 23.

According to Araghchi, the consequences of the war triggered by the US-Israel were actually responded to by US President Donald Trump with threats instead of negotiations that benefited the parties to the conflict.

"No insurance company - and no Iranian citizen - will be affected by further threats. Try to respect," Araghchi said.

Araghchi recalled Trump who continued to talk about restoring global energy supplies in the Strait of Hormuz, but often hindered the economies of other countries by ignoring the Free Trade policy to implement 'choking' import tariff policies.

According to him, the attitude of appreciation is very important in living in the world. Thus, Trump must do it like other heads of state.

"Freedom of navigation cannot be realized without free trade. Respect both - or don't expect either," he said.