Adedokun Waliyu 
United States President Donald Trump has said the United States will be compensated for safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz after announcing that America would assume responsibility for protecting the strategic waterway.
Speaking during an interview, Trump said the United States had protected the Strait for years without compensation but would now be reimbursed by wealthy nations that benefit from the vital shipping route.
He stated that the United States would become the “guardian” of the Strait, adding that the payments would cover the risks faced by American personnel deployed to secure the area.
Trump’s remarks came amid renewed military confrontations between the United States and Iran, marking the most intense escalation since the ceasefire reached in April. The renewed hostilities have raised concerns over efforts to secure a lasting peace in the Middle East and have disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait remains one of the world’s most important energy trade routes, making its security a major point of contention between Washington and Tehran.
During the interview, Trump also criticised Iranian negotiators, accusing them of attempting to alter agreements reached after several hours of negotiations over the weekend. According to him, both sides had reached an understanding before Iranian representatives later sought changes to the agreement.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it is engaging mediators from Qatar, Pakistan and Oman in an effort to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has maintained that the Strait of Hormuz is closed. However, the United States insists that the waterway remains open to international maritime traffic and rejects Iran’s claim of control over the strategic passage.
The latest developments have heightened concerns over global energy supplies and international shipping, with analysts closely monitoring the impact of the renewed tensions on oil markets and regional stability.
