Seoul: U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Monday that the United States will impose a 20 percent fee on all cargo transported through the Strait of Hormuz, positioning the country as the "guardian" of the strategic waterway. This move comes as part of the U.S.'s strategy to ensure secure passage through the strait amid ongoing tensions in the region. According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump made the announcement via a social media post, in which he also revealed that the U.S. is reinstating a naval blockade of Iranian ports. This decision follows weeks of lifted restrictions and continued disruptions to commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for the global transport of oil, natural gas, and other commodities, against the backdrop of Middle Eastern conflicts. Trump stated on Truth Social that the strait will remain open under U.S. supervision, emphasizing that the blockade targets only Iranian vessels or their customers. "The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran," Trump wrote. He underscored the U.S.'s new role, asserting, "The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as 'THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,'" adding that the fee is a matter of fairness to cover the costs associated with maintaining security. The specifics of the 20 percent fee remain unclear, particularly whether it applies to the cargo's value or constitutes a cost-based charge for ensuring safe passage. The White House has yet to provide clarification on this matter. Countries heavily dependent on the strait for energy imports, including South Korea, are closely monitoring the situation. Recent escalations saw the U.S. and Iran exchanging strikes after allegations of Iranian attacks on commercial ships, raising fears of a potential escalation into full-scale conflict. In an interview with Fox News, Trump reiterated the U.S.'s commitment to controlling the strait, suggesting that the U.S. might assume full operational command. He mused about the U.S. being both the "guardian" an d possibly the "guardian angel" of the strait, reinforcing his stance that the U.S. should be compensated for its role in maintaining the waterway's safety.