Trump to impose maritime blockade on Iran, replace 20% fee with Gulf investment deal

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media on July 14 that he will implement a full blockade on vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports or carrying Iran-related cargo. The Strait of Hormuz will remain open to all other ships. Trump criticized Iran's leadership, stating it is full of lies, violence, and malice and is leading the country to complete ruin. He also announced the withdrawal of a demand for a 20% U.S. compensation fee, which will be replaced by a trade and investment agreement with Gulf nations, emphasizing that the investment would be massive. He added that the era of Iran causing hundreds of thousands of deaths is over and that Iran will never possess nuclear weapons.