# Tensions escalate in Hormuz Strait between US and Iran

Trump's transit fee announcement and new military strikes deepen regional crisis.

- **Source:** [Fortune | FORTUNE](https://brifing.si/source/769282ef-327a-4454-909a-3c7936216004)
- **Published:** 2026-07-13
- **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business)
- **Original article:** <https://fortune.com/2026/07/13/us-strikes-iran-naval-blockade-trump-reversal-hormuz-fees/>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/b2c9cc79-890c-4c3c-ab00-1a441c55fd1d

## New crisis in Hormuz Strait

The US announced new military strikes against Iran. This move came after the Trump administration declared it would charge fees for passage through the strait. Iran maintains its sovereignty over the critical waterway.

## Trump's fee policy

US President Trump announced fees for ships passing through Hormuz Strait, contradicting international maritime laws. 'We're protecting a very rich portion of the world,' Trump stated, justifying the reimbursement for protection costs.

## Iran's sarcastic response

Iranian FM Araghchi mocked Trump's fee announcement, saying 'Iran has always been the guardian of the Strait.' He called 20% fee excessive, promising Iran would 'be fair' in its approach to passage management.

## Impact on oil prices

Brent crude rose 7.8% to $81.92 per barrel amid escalating tensions. However, prices remain below the $120 peak during the war's height. Strait traffic still hasn't recovered to pre-conflict levels.

## International reactions

The International Maritime Organization opposed tolls for strait passage. Gulf countries reportedly don't support the fee idea either. The US had previously opposed such charges before its policy reversal.

## Military operations

US strikes targeted Iran's air defense systems, radar sites, and naval assets. Iran retaliated with attacks on US-allied Arab states. Alarm sirens sounded in Bahrain, home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet.

## Global implications

The Hormuz crisis threatens global energy supplies. The strait's earlier closure at the war's onset spiked worldwide energy, fertilizer, and commodity prices. Renewed tensions could destabilize markets further.

## Sources covering this story

- https://fortune.com/2026/07/13/us-strikes-iran-naval-blockade-trump-reversal-hormuz-fees/ — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._
