Trump scraps his Hormuz shipping charge idea but presses ahead with an Iran blockade

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Trump scraps his Hormuz shipping charge idea but presses ahead with an Iran blockade Updated July 14, 202612:16 PM ET Originally published July 14, 20265:56 AM ET By NPR Staff A ship sails off the coast of Ajman, United Arab Emirates, on Friday. via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption via Getty Images President Trump on Tuesday said the United States will not impose fees on ships in exchange for helping them transit the Strait of Hormuz safely, a day after the surprise announcement there would be a 20% cargo charge. "Based on highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership, I have decided to replace the 20% United States Reimbursement Fee with Trade and Investment Deals that the various Gulf States will be making into the United States," he wrote online.

It was not immediately clear what the investments are. But Trump said the U. would reinstate its blockade on Iran as planned.

The Details

Sponsor Message The U. military said it would begin a blockade of ships entering or exiting Iranian ports at 4 p. Middle East conflict The U.

strikes Iran after Trump announces a renewed blockade and tolls in Hormuz Trump's change of course comes as Iran vows to assert its control over the Strait of Hormuz, amid an intensified exchange of attacks in recent days, threatening a return to all-out war in the region. launched another wave of strikes on Iran late Monday and early Tuesday local time. Central Command said it struck Iranian defense systems, missile and drone sites and maritime capabilities to "degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping.

" Iran's Revolutionary Guard said Tuesday that it had struck "two non-compliant" supertankers in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement in Iranian state media. Iran also said it launched missiles and drones against U. military infrastructure in Bahrain, which hosts the U.

What Experts Say

Navy's 5th Fleet, and U. military outposts in Jordan. The United Arab Emirates' Defense Ministry said two of its tankers were targeted by Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani waters, killing one person.

Bahrain authorities reported that sirens were sounded and urged citizens to head to safe places. Jordanian state media said the country's air defenses intercepted four Iranian missiles early Tuesday as they entered its airspace. Sponsor Message The escalation comes as the U.

and Iran reach a halfway mark in the 60-day ceasefire agreed in June, when the two sides signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding to work out the terms of a final deal and open the Strait of Hormuz. During a NATO summit in Turkey last week, President Trump declared the ceasefire "over," but didn't rule out further talks. Middle East conflict U.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.