Washington, Jul 13 (V7N)- US President Donald Trump has said that the United States is ready to provide security for ships passing through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, but proposed that countries benefiting from the protection should pay a security fee.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday (July 13), Trump said countries using the vital commercial waterway should contribute to the cost of maintaining security in the region.
Under his proposal, 20 percent of the total value of goods transported through the Strait of Hormuz would have to be paid as a security charge.
"We want the countries we are helping to pay back for that cost. We are providing security to a very rich region of the world. We are spending a lot of money for this, so we should be compensated for this security service," Trump said.
The US president said Washington's role in the region is not driven by its own interests but by the security needs of its allies. He specifically mentioned Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates, claiming that the United States has played an effective role in protecting these countries.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the world's most important maritime trade routes, with a significant portion of global energy shipments passing through the waterway.
Analysts say Trump's proposal highlights a broader "pay-for-protection" approach in US foreign policy and introduces a new economic dimension to Washington's military presence in the Middle East and its security partnerships with regional allies.
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