Trump: "US and Iran should jointly collect Strait of Hormuz transit fees" [Hormuz Reclosure]

US President Donald Trump said on the 8th (local time) that the United States of America (US) and the Islamic Republic of Iran are considering jointly collecting transit fees for the Strait of Hormuz.
He said, "I am thinking about it in the form of a joint venture," adding that it "could be a way to protect the strait and shield it from various forces."
His remarks came during a phone call with ABC reporter Jonathan Karl, and the details were later shared on the reporter's social networking service (SNS) account.
When asked about Iran imposing transit fees on ships, President Trump replied, "The US and the Islamic Republic of Iran could collect them together."
The US and the Islamic Republic of Iran agreed the previous day to a two-week cease-fire and are negotiating key issues, including transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
The cease-fire proposal put forward by Iran is reported to include a plan to levy transit fees on vessels passing through the strait and use the revenue to cover reconstruction costs.
Earlier, President Trump also wrote on his SNS account, "The US will help ease congestion in the Strait of Hormuz," adding, "Many positive steps and substantial profits will be generated."
He further noted that "the Islamic Republic of Iran can begin the reconstruction process," hinting that he could agree to a plan that uses transit fee income as reconstruction funding.
This joint venture concept is seen as going beyond merely allowing transit fees and toward direct US involvement in the collection process. Although no specific revenue-sharing structure has been presented, one idea being discussed is that the US would secure a certain stake and receive income in the nature of management fees. It amounts to an attempt to change the order surrounding the strait itself. Even the idea of a particular country charging transit fees in a strait that is effectively close to international waters is highly contentious, and if the US joins in, it could lead to joint control over maritime access. Observers say this idea is in line with the recent pattern of the US becoming involved in controlling oil exports from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela after the change of government there. It is being interpreted as a strategy to control energy supply chains not only through military means but also economically. Commenting on President Trump's remarks, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the same day that this is an issue "raised by President Trump and to be discussed over the next two weeks," stressing that nothing has been agreed. She added, however, that "the immediate top priority is to reopen the strait without any restrictions, including the imposition of transit fees." If transit fees are introduced, a new cost structure would emerge in the global shipping and energy markets, raising concerns about long-term negative effects on international oil prices and logistics systems.
km@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-min Reporter