Skip to main content

Global News

Trump pushes for Strait of Hormuz reopening without tolls, White House says

A map showing the Strait of Hormuz and a 3D-printed miniature model depicting U.S. President Donald Trump are seen in this illustration taken March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
Traffic rises in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran pushes tolls idea and Trump floats joint US Iran control during talks. - REUTERS

President Donald Trump wants to see the Strait of Hormuz open up for oil tankers and other traffic without any limitations, including tolls, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday.

"The immediate priority of the president is the reopening of the strait without any limitations, whether in the form of tolls or otherwise," Leavitt said.

The U.S. has seen an uptick in traffic in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, Leavitt told reporters.

Leavitt was asked who currently controlled the Strait of Hormuz and declined to answer.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically vital maritime chokepoints, with about 20% of the world’s seaborne crude oil and liquefied natural gas flows passing through it.

Amid ceasefire talks with the U.S. and Israel, Tehran has sought to formalize this control by proposing fees or tolls on vessels passing through the Strait, and Trump on Wednesday suggested the U.S. and Iran could collect tolls in a joint venture.

Must Watch Video