‘I want to be reimbursed’: Trump wants Gulf Nations to pay US for protecting Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said on Monday, July 13, that Gulf nations should reimburse the United States for helping secure the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that Washington should not bear the financial burden of protecting a region that benefits heavily from international shipping and energy exports.

The remarks came as tensions between the United States and Iran continued to rise following days of military exchanges linked to commercial shipping in the strategic waterway. Trump's comments also followed his recent declaration that the US would act as the "Guardian of the Hormuz Strait," a claim that drew a response from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Trump calls for compensation from Gulf allies

Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump argued that countries benefiting from US military protection should help fund the mission, saying Washington should no longer shoulder the burden alone.

"I want to be reimbursed because we're protecting a very rich portion of the world. We're spending money. And so what we've done is we are going to be reimbursed for protection. We're protecting by the countries that we're helping," Trump said.

The president specifically named Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait among the countries he said benefit from American security operations in the region.

Trump maintained that the United States no longer depends on Middle Eastern energy supplies. "We don't need them. You know, we have more oil than any other country in the world. When you add Venezuela... we have more than 50% of the world's supply. We don't need it," he said.

Trump argued that the United States was safeguarding key maritime routes used by its allies and regional partners. He also reiterated that Washington was continuing military operations against Iran while maintaining that a diplomatic solution remained possible.

When asked how long the current confrontation with Iran could continue, Trump said additional US strikes were planned but suggested the conflict would not become prolonged. "We're hitting them very heavy tonight," Trump said. Shortly after that warning, Trump ordered a fresh round of strikes on Iran, marking a third consecutive day of military exchange. 

Iran responds after Trump revives Hormuz payment proposal

Trump's remarks came shortly after he proposed that the United States receive compensation equivalent to 20% of cargo transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that countries benefiting from maritime security should contribute toward the costs.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi responded on social media, saying, "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," Araghchi added. "20 per cent is of course too much. We will be fair."

The exchange comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of growing tensions between Washington and Tehran. The narrow waterway connects the Persian Gulf to global markets and carries a significant share of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports.