Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s remarks from late June declaring that “no country” should charge tolls through the Strait of Hormuz resurfaced across social media Monday, just hours after President Donald Trump announced the United States would begin collecting a 20% fee on cargo traveling through the strategically vital waterway.
The renewed attention followed a major policy announcement from Trump, who declared on Truth Social that the United States would reinstate what he called the Iranian blockade and take on a permanent security role in the Strait of Hormuz after another round of military exchanges between Washington and Tehran.
In his post, Trump said the administration was “reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE,” explaining that it was “so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving.”
The president went on to outline what he described as a new long-term American mission in one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
“The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,’” Trump wrote.
He added that, “as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS,” the United States “will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World.”
Trump also said implementation of the new policy would begin immediately.
“The process and formation will begin immediately,” the president wrote.
The announcement quickly drew comparisons to comments Rubio made less than a month earlier while visiting the United Arab Emirates on June 23. During that visit, Rubio warned that the Strait of Hormuz is governed by international law and argued that no nation should impose transit fees on vessels using the passage.
“That’s the law. It’s an international waterway. No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway,” Rubio said at the time.
He continued by emphasizing that the principle extends beyond the Strait of Hormuz.
“That’s existing international law. That’s the way it is in international waterways all over the world and that’s the way we’ll expect it’ll be here,” Rubio said.
Rubio also noted that he believed regional governments shared that view.
“I think all the countries in this region would agree,” he added.
Following Trump’s announcement, Rubio’s earlier comments began circulating widely online as users highlighted the apparent contrast between the secretary of state’s June remarks and the president’s newly announced policy.
A CBS News video featuring Rubio’s comments was reposted by numerous users on social media. The clip was also shared by CBS News senior White House correspondent Ed O’Keefe, where it attracted thousands of views.
As the video spread online, dozens of users replied to posts about Trump’s announcement by sharing Rubio’s previous statement on international waterways and transit fees.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically significant shipping lanes, carrying roughly one-fifth of global oil and natural gas exports. Its importance to international energy markets has long made the narrow waterway a focal point of geopolitical tensions and maritime security concerns.
Monday’s developments placed renewed attention on both the administration’s evolving policy toward the region and Rubio’s previous public statements regarding international law governing one of the world’s most critical maritime routes.
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