Iran mocks Trump’s Hormuz cargo charge plan, says ‘20% is too much, we will be fair’

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday took a swipe at US President Donald Trump over his proposal to impose hefty charges on cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran would charge a lower fee for ensuring safe passage through the strategic waterway.

Araghchi's remarks came after Trump vowed to levy significant charges on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime trade routes.

In a post on social media, Iran's top diplomat appeared to mock the proposal while reiterating Tehran's long-standing claim that it plays a central role in safeguarding navigation through the strait.

"POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service. Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER. 20% is of course too much. We will be fair," Araghchi wrote.

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The comments add to the escalating war of words between Tehran and Washington over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping corridor through which a significant share of global oil and gas supplies passes.

Trump earlier announced plans to impose charges on cargo moving through the waterway as part of a broader strategy to tighten US oversight of maritime traffic in the region, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Iran.

Araghchi's remarks underscore Tehran's opposition to any expanded US role in the strait and its insistence that regional security should remain the responsibility of countries bordering the Gulf.

With inputs from agencies