President Donald Trump announced on July 13, 2026, that the United States intends to receive payment for its role in guarding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil-shipping route and focal point in the ongoing conflict with Iran [1]. In a phone interview with Fox News, Trump stated, "We're going to keep the strait, and we'll probably run it," emphasizing the U.S.'s commitment to maintaining security in the region [1]. He further elaborated, "We'll become the guardian of the strait — maybe we'll call it the guardian angel of the strait," and asserted that the U.S. should be reimbursed for this responsibility [1].
Trump criticized previous U.S. policy, saying, "We can't be expected to do that for nothing, unlike we had for many years," and declared, "We guarded it for nothing, and now we're going to guard it, we're going to get paid for guarding it. A lot of money" [1]. The president did not specify which countries or entities would be expected to pay, nor did he provide details on the amount or mechanism for reimbursement [1].
While no immediate market reaction or analyst commentary was provided in the article, the president's statements signal a potential shift in U.S. policy regarding the security of a vital global oil transit chokepoint [1]. This could have implications for international relations and energy markets, depending on how the policy is implemented and received by other nations.
CONCLUSION
President Trump's remarks indicate a significant change in U.S. policy toward the Strait of Hormuz, with the intention to seek financial compensation for its security role. While specific details and market reactions were not provided, the announcement could impact global energy markets and diplomatic relations.