Trump Issues Warning to Iran on Strait of Hormuz Tolls Amid Fragile Ceasefire

By [Neutral News Service], April 10, 2026

President Donald Trump has cautioned Iran against imposing tolls on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, as global energy disruptions continue following recent conflict in the Gulf region. Japan announced on Friday an additional emergency release from its oil reserves in response to the situation.

The conflict has affected energy production in the Gulf, disrupted tanker movements, and contributed to a roughly 50% rise in oil prices. Asian importers have faced significant challenges from these developments.

Trump stated on Truth Social: "There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait. They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now. That is not the agreement we have!"

The Strait of Hormuz, located at the southern entrance to the Gulf, remains largely closed or requires coordination with Iranian authorities even after a two-week ceasefire announced on April 7. This ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan, followed weeks of attacks that damaged energy infrastructure across the region. Free passage for hundreds of stranded tankers and vessels was specified as a condition. However, the truce is described as fragile, with US-Iran talks scheduled for April 11-12. Iran has released dual-language negotiation plans, where the Farsi version reportedly includes acceptance of nuclear enrichment, differing from the English version.

A spokesperson for Iran's Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters' Union, Hamid Hosseini, told the Financial Times that Iran intends to demand tolls in cryptocurrency during the ceasefire period, according to reports.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) outlined a designated route for vessels on Thursday, advising passage through Iranian waters near Larak Island to avoid potential naval mines in standard lanes, according to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency.

The disruptions have impacted global markets beyond Gulf economies and tourism, affecting supplies of liquefied natural gas, aluminum, cooking gas for India, helium for Asian semiconductor manufacturers, diesel for agriculture, and jet fuel for airlines. These effects have contributed to inflationary pressures from higher energy costs.

Japan, which sources about 95% of its oil from the Gulf, plans to release an additional 20 days' worth of reserves starting in May, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said during a cabinet meeting on Friday. Takaichi indicated that by May, more than half of Japan's imports could be secured via alternative routes bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, though details were not provided.

With Gulf maritime routes restricted, Saudi Arabia has continued exports through its Red Sea port of Yanbu. Japan is scheduled to receive four times more U.S. crude in May compared to a year earlier, according to a trade and economy ministry document released Friday.

Saudi state news agency SPA reported overnight that Iranian attacks have reduced the kingdom's oil production capacity by approximately 600,000 barrels per day and flows on its East-West Pipeline to Yanbu by about 700,000 barrels per day.

Saudi Aramco has requested May cargo nominations from clients for loadings at Yanbu and Ras Tanura, two sources said, with Ras Tanura operations contingent on the strait reopening.

Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC) has issued April loading dates on a free-on-board basis, according to two sources, though these depend on the resumption of strait sailings. Last month, KPC declared force majeure on certain deliveries due to the Gulf closures.

Iran's crude exports have continued largely uninterrupted, primarily to Chinese independent "teapot" refiners, its main customers. These refiners paid premiums to Brent crude for Iranian oil for the first time in years. Iranian Light crude typically trades at a discount due to sanctions, but at least two refiners in Dongying, Shandong province, bought it at $1.50 to $2 per barrel above ICE Brent this week, trade sources said—contrasting with a $10 per barrel discount prior to the conflict. One source noted this as the first such premium purchase by teapots since 2022.

Iran's Supreme Leader has stated that the country seeks compensation in connection with the events, amid ongoing restrictions and coordination requirements for the strait.

Brent crude futures rose 1% to just below $97 per barrel as of 1010 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate increased 0.7% to about $98.50 per barrel.

*(Word count: 632. © 2026. Sources include official statements, agency reports, and trade sources as attributed.)*