Trump says the U.S. will police a vital global trade route and charge every cargo ship a massive fee to pass
Iranian ships face a total blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, while other nations must pay a 20 percent fee to cover U.S. security costs.
Your everyday gas prices and global trade are about to get much more expensive because of a sudden standoff in the Middle East.
President Trump just declared the U.S. will control who gets to sail through one of the world's most vital water passages.
WHAT HAPPENED
President Trump announced the U.S. military will now act as the "Guardian of the Hormuz Strait." The U.S. will block all Iranian ships from using this crucial waterway.
Ships from other countries can still pass, but they will have to pay. The U.S. plans to charge a 20 percent fee on cargo shipments to pay for military security.
This decision comes during high tension between the U.S. and Iran. Recent military airstrikes have already pushed global oil prices above $75 a barrel.
FACT BOX
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- 20 percent: The fee charged on cargo shipments passing through the strait.
- Zero: The number of Iranian ships allowed through under the new U.S. blockade.
- $75: The price of oil per barrel after the announcement.
- Guardian of the Hormuz Strait: The name of the new U.S. military operation.
WHY IT MATTERS
About a fifth of the world's oil passes through this narrow strait. If shipping costs go up by 20 percent, companies will pass those costs down to regular people.
This move could quickly raise the price of gas, food, and everyday goods across the globe. It also risks sparking a much larger war if Iran fights back against the blockade.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Shipping companies must now decide if they will pay the heavy U.S. fee or find longer routes around Africa.
Global leaders and trade groups will likely meet to discuss if the U.S. has the legal right to charge these fees in open seas.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- How will the U.S. force shipping companies to pay the 20 percent fee?
- Will Iran use its military to try and break the blockade?
- How much will this drive up gas prices for everyday drivers?