20% For Safe Passage of an International Waterway?

[Cypress Sun]

Beyond legal on every level. Protection racket at best.

[Subdeacon Joe]

22 minutes ago, Cypress Sun said:

Beyond legal on every level. Protection racket at best.

 

Only on Iranian vessels, not all shipping.  An economic blockade.

[Chantry]

Designed to get a reaction.  From whom and what I'm not sure yet.  And this thread will disappear shortly.

[Cypress Sun]

1 hour ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

 

Only on Iranian vessels, not all shipping.  An economic blockade.

 

Not the way I read it. A 20% protection fee from all shipping, other than Iran, for safe passage thru the Straight. Iran will be blockaded, no ships in, no ships out.

[Pat Riot]

The 20% is reimbursement for keeping the start open. Recouping costs, as I read it. 
 

https://m.economictimes.com/industry/transportation/shipping-/-transport/us-to-charge-20-on-strait-of-hormuz-cargo-says-trump-reinstates-naval-blockade-on-iran/articleshow/132370030.cms

[Subdeacon Joe]

4 minutes ago, Cypress Sun said:

 

Not the way I read it. A 20% protection fee from all shipping, other than Iran, for safe passage thru the Straight. Iran will be blockaded, no ships in, no ships out.

 

Statements on it are confusing.

 

From PBS:

 

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States is "reinstating" a blockade on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and will charge ships for safe passage, after another heavy exchange of fire threatened negotiations aimed at ending the war.

 

He said on social media that Iranian ships will no longer be able to travel through the strait and America would charge a 20% toll on eligible cargo, as the conflict with Iran has intensified after peace talks failed to deliver meaningful progress.

 

"We are reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran's ships or customers from entering or leaving," Trump said online. "All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait."

 

The president said the toll would help cover "any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World."

 

I  suspect that it's another negotiation ploy. Make outrageous demands, others make counter offer that's close to what he really wants, then "chicken out" and settle for what he wanted in the first place. 

 

Just like selling real estate or a car. Ask far more than what you're really looking for, get the other party to make their offer,  which is usually less than they are actually willing to pay. 

 

Meanwhile the pundits and other talking heads whine and wail that "it's not how we've always done things!" Maybe it's time that we try something new.

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

5 minutes ago, Pat Riot said:

The 20% is reimbursement for keeping the start open. Recouping costs, as I read it. 

Makes perfect sense to me. We're the ones doing the work, we should get paid for the work. Same reason I won't use the self checkout at Walmart.

There isn't anybody else that COULD do it anyway.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

There are actually numerous other entities with sufficient Naval resources to do it.  Most of them see it as a result of our interference with Iran and therefore "our" problem to solve.  It ain't gonna get "solved" any time soon.

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

11 minutes ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

There are actually numerous other entities with sufficient Naval resources to do it.  Most of them see it as a result of our interference with Iran and therefore "our" problem to solve.  It ain't gonna get "solved" any time soon.

They may have the resources, but not the courage. I'm sure that when this thing IS over, they'll gladly take advantage of the result while at the same time somehow blaming the whole thing on us. 

Sounds like another example of NATO at work.

[Calamity Kris]

Another game of 5-D chess.  I'll just sit back and watch.........

[Buckshot Bear]

Sea drones worked well 

 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/13/us-attack-iran-kamikaze-drone-boats-hormuz-war/

[Rye Miles #13621]

We’re protecting the Strait of Hermuz  so these other countries can get their oil and other supplies through. You’re darn right we should be reimbursed. Those other countries aren’t doing anything! 20% is a bargain. It’s our ships and military that’s protecting the Strait. We need to be reimbursed for sure!

Edited July 13 by Rye Miles #13621

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

NATO has nothing at all to do with the Straight of Hormuz.  Additionally, NATO functioned as it was suppose to for decades.

 

So:  America is going to "Take Charge" of an international waterway, then charge international users 20% of their cargo to use it.  That actually constitutes Piracy.   There is no justification for America "Taking Control" and charging a "TOLL."  In case you haven't looked at a Globe since you left grade school, it's not our turf.  Not even close.

[Cypress Sun]

30 minutes ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

We’re protecting the Strait of Hermuz  so these other countries can get their oil and other supplies through. You’re darn right we should be reimbursed. Those other countries aren’t doing anything! 20% is a bargain. It’s our ships and military that’s protecting the Strait. We need to be reimbursed for sure!

 

The US imports about 10% of the crude oil used in US refineries from the Middle East. Oil prices are once again shooting through the roof even though the vast majority of US crude is from domestic and Canadian sources. US crude oil is priced the same as everyone else's crude oil.

 

Americans are not only paying the price at the pumps but also on every other commodity due to rising oil global oil prices. Middle Eastern oil that the US doesn't even need. Once again, the American consumer gets hosed while the already ultra rich oil companies rake in even more revenue. Anyone that believes that tacking 20% "protection" fees will benefit everyday Americans is hallucinating.

 

All we are doing is becoming mercenaries for the oil companies and risking/endangering our brave military personal and equipment to do it. This isn't about nukes, it's about oil and making billionaires into trillionaires, plain and simple.

[Rye Miles #13621]

26 minutes ago, Cypress Sun said:

 

The US imports about 10% of the crude oil used in US refineries from the Middle East. Oil prices are once again shooting through the roof even though the vast majority of US crude is from domestic and Canadian sources. US crude oil is priced the same as everyone else's crude oil.

 

Americans are not only paying the price at the pumps but also on every other commodity due to rising oil global oil prices. Middle Eastern oil that the US doesn't even need. Once again, the American consumer gets hosed while the already ultra rich oil companies rake in even more revenue. Anyone that believes that tacking 20% "protection" fees will benefit everyday Americans is hallucinating.

 

All we are doing is becoming mercenaries for the oil companies and risking/endangering our brave military personal and equipment to do it. This isn't about nukes, it's about oil and making billionaires into trillionaires, plain and simple.

I disagree, I believe it’s all about the nukes. That’s MhO 

[Rye Miles #13621]

43 minutes ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

 

NATO has nothing at all to do with the Straight of Hormuz.  Additionally, NATO functioned as it was suppose to for decades.

 

So:  America is going to "Take Charge" of an international waterway, then charge international users 20% of their cargo to use it.  That actually constitutes Piracy.   There is no justification for America "Taking Control" and charging a "TOLL."  In case you haven't looked at a Globe since you left grade school, it's not our turf.  Not even close.

The NATO countries get most of their oil through the strait, that’s all I’m saying and Iran wants to block it and control it. It’s not theirs to control.

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

58 minutes ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

 

NATO has nothing at all to do with the Straight of Hormuz.  Additionally, NATO functioned as it was suppose to for decades.

Not saying that NATO has anything to do with it.  NATO has done pretty much nothing except be a threat to bullies in the region. And the threat has only worked because they had the U.S. to back it up. Until Trump started pushing them, the rest of NATO was coasting along not even coming close to paying their part. 

58 minutes ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

So:  America is going to "Take Charge" of an international waterway, then charge international users 20% of their cargo to use it.  That actually constitutes Piracy.   There is no justification for America "Taking Control" and charging a "TOLL."  In case you haven't looked at a Globe since you left grade school, it's not our turf.  Not even close.

The alternative is to let Iran take charge of it and control the flow of Crude flowing through it. THAT would be Piracy. 

The U.S. taking charge is akin to a Cop stopping a bully from beating people up. The Cop gets paid to do so, why shouldn't we? I'd bet that our charging 20% is a lot less than Iran would charge.

Edited July 14 by Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770

[Rye Miles #13621]

10 minutes ago, Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 said:

Not saying that NATO has anything to do with it.  NATO has done pretty much nothing except be a threat to bullies in the region. And the threat has only worked because they had the U.S. to back it up. Until Trump started pushing them, the rest of NATO was coasting along not even coming close to paying their part. 

The alternative is to let Iran take charge of it and control the flow of Crude flowing through it. THAT would be Piracy. 

The U.S. taking charge is akin to a Cop stopping a bully from beating people up. The Cop gets paid to do so, why shouldn't we? I'd bet that our charging 20% is a lot less than Iran would charge.

100% agreed 👍 

[El Chapo]

I'm not giving anyone advice other than to say I'm buying the dip

Edited July 15 by El Chapo

[Rye Miles #13621]

3 minutes ago, El Chapo said:

I'm not giving anyone advise other than to say I'm buying the dip

You providing the the Doritos too? What kind of dip? Nacho cheese maybe?😂

[Buckshot Bear]

44 minutes ago, El Chapo said:

I'm not giving anyone advise other than to say I'm buying the dip

 

Hummus?

[Cypress Sun]

1 hour ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

The NATO countries get most of their oil through the strait, that’s all I’m saying and Iran wants to block it and control it. It’s not theirs to control.

 

Why aren't NATO countries doing anything about it then? If it really mattered to NATO countries, they'd be helping the US blow the crap out of Iran every time Iran attacks shipping in the Hormuz. A few of them are letting the US use their airspace and/or air bases....that's it. Seems to me that if the oil that goes through the Strait was that important to them, they'd put their troops and equipment on the line to protect their own national security.

 

I'm not saying to let Iran control the Strait, far from it. If I had anything to do with it, there wouldn't be an Iran. I just saying that no amount of the Middle East oil is worth one drop of American blood or American pain at the pumps, grocery stores or anywhere else for that matter.

 

 

Edited July 14 by Cypress Sun
Didn't spell Strait straight.

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

10 hours ago, Cypress Sun said:

Beyond legal on every level. Protection racket at best.

We are accused of being at war with a nation that has attacked and offended the U. S. and many other countries for over 50 years and now has become a viable nuclear threat.

 

I see no reason to say that we are doing anything "ILLEGAL" by any definition.

 

As for NATO and the other European and nations all over this planet, we have saved, bailed out, supported and carried the rest of the world for decades.  It's time they either helped or stayed our of the argument altogether.

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

49 minutes ago, Cypress Sun said:

Why aren't NATO countries doing anything about it then?

My point exactly. 

[Rye Miles #13621]

 

1 hour ago, Cypress Sun said:

 

Why aren't NATO countries doing anything about it then? If it really mattered to NATO countries, they'd be helping the US blow the crap out of Iran every time Iran attacks shipping in the Hormuz. A few of them are letting the US use their airspace and/or air bases....that's it. Seems to me that if the oil that goes through the Strait was that important to them, they'd put their troops and equipment on the line to protect their own national security.

 

I'm not saying to let Iran control the Strait, far from it. If I had anything to do with it, there wouldn't be an Iran. I just saying that no amount of the Middle East oil is worth one drop of American blood or American pain at the pumps, grocery stores or anywhere else for that matter.

 

 

The NATO countries aren’t doing anything because they’re a bunch of lily livered cowards and they just lay back and let us do it! We’ve been hounding them to spend more money on defense for years! 

[Chantry]

The Europeans lack the political will to deploy ships or aircraft to the Persian Gulf.   What a navy or air force has on paper does not equal what they can actually deploy. I also question how many navies & air forces have the logistical support to project military power to the Persian Gulf without US support.  

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

So, ignoring the "Oil" issue (which we don't need) for the moment.  If it's all about  NUKES, why haven't we attacked North Korea??  

[Cypress Sun]

2 minutes ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

 

So, ignoring the "Oil" issue (which we don't need) for the moment.  If it's all about  NUKES, why haven't we attacked North Korea??  

 

Because they already have nukes and the US has vested interests in South Korea and Japan which N. Korea's missiles can easily hit, along with possibly the west coast of the US. Can't wage war on countries that ALREADY have nukes (and a crazy dictator) lest it become a nuke war.

 

BTW - Technically, North and South Korea are still at war with each other.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Cypress,

 

Yeah, I already knew that, but in all actuality, I was just tugging lightly on Rye's chain 🤪

[Brock]

A CANAL!!  bypass the whole issue.

 

Go ahead and laugh, nitpick, ridicule.

[Cypress Sun]

1 hour ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

 

Cypress,

 

Yeah, I already knew that, but in all actuality, I was just tugging lightly on Rye's chain 🤪

 

Wait...Rye has a chain?

[Rye Miles #13621]

1 hour ago, Cypress Sun said:

 

Because they already have nukes and the US has vested interests in South Korea and Japan which N. Korea's missiles can easily hit, along with possibly the west coast of the US. Can't wage war on countries that ALREADY have nukes (and a crazy dictator) lest it become a nuke war.

 

BTW - Technically, North and South Korea are still at war with each other.

Exactly, got that Coffinmaker? 

[Irish Pat]

trump already changed his min

[Rye Miles #13621]

2 hours ago, Cypress Sun said:

 

Wait...Rye has a chain?

Coffinmaker has a lot of hallucinations and he gets confuse easily. I think he’s talking about his own chain!🙄🫪😂

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he is replacing his proposed 20 percent reimbursement fee on cargo ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz with trade and investment deals involving Gulf states

 

Full article here:

https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2026/07/14/trump-drops-20-strait-of-hormuz-reimbursement-fee-says-gulf-states-will-make-massive-u-s-investments/