President Donald Trump confirmed that 19 million barrels of oil flowed out of the Strait of Hormuz, directly countering Iran's military claim that the strategic waterway had been closed. The statement reinforces the U.S. position that oil shipments remain uninterrupted despite escalating tensions surrounding ongoing nuclear negotiations. The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly 20% of global oil and gas shipments, making any disruption a critical concern for global energy markets.

Trump Floats US Toll As Leverage In Stalled Talks

Trump also warned that the United States may impose tolls in the Strait of Hormuz if the Iran peace deal collapses. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump specified there would be "NO TOLLS" in the strategic waterway for 60 days, "unless they are imposed by and for the United States of America, should the deal not be completed." He framed any potential future charges as reimbursement for U.S. forces acting as a "Guardian Angel" to the region. The warning comes as U.S. and Iranian delegations, including Vice President JD Vance, prepare for talks in Switzerland to negotiate terms beyond the interim memorandum. Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported a revision granting Iran and Oman authority over future maritime administration in the strait, leaving open the possibility that tolls could resume after the initial 60-day period.

Strait Closure Claim Adds Fresh Uncertainty

Tensions escalated after Iran's military announced it had closed the strait, citing Israeli strikes in Lebanon that allegedly breached the ceasefire. U.S. Central Command denied the closure, stating that 55 merchant ships transited the strait safely, carrying more than 17 million barrels of oil. Trump's latest update raised that figure to 19 million barrels, further reinforcing the U.S. denial of any operational disruption. The conflicting claims regarding the status of the waterway and its administration highlight the fragility of the current negotiations.

The following table summarizes the key parameters surrounding the Strait of Hormuz dispute:

Billionaire investor and Pershing Square USA Ltd. CEO Bill Ackman warned Thursday that dependence on the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical vulnerability for the global economy. Ackman compared the strategic risk to US reliance on semiconductor manufacturing in Taiwan and pharmaceutical supply chains centered in China. He stated that addressing this dependence is as crucial as reducing exposure to foreign-made chips and active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Strategic Vulnerability

"To state the obvious, having the American and global economy exposed to a narrow strait is not conducive to long-term peace and security," Ackman said in a post on X. The recent conflict disrupted shipping and energy supplies across the region, driving oil prices sharply higher and renewing scrutiny of the world's reliance on the waterway.

Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy chokepoints, connecting the Persian Gulf to international shipping routes. Roughly a fifth of global oil consumption and a significant share of liquefied natural gas exports pass through the narrow waterway, making it critical to global energy markets.

Under the proposed arrangement, Iran will allow commercial vessels to transit the waterway free of charge for 60 days. Normal traffic is expected to resume within 30 days after mines are cleared. Crude oil traded around $76 per barrel Friday and was headed for a weekly decline of about 10% as improving shipping conditions eased supply concerns.

Comparison to Taiwan and China Supply Chains

Ackman compared the reliance on the Strait of Hormuz to other areas where the US has made efforts to reduce strategic dependencies. Washington has invested billions of dollars through the CHIPS and Science Act to expand domestic semiconductor production and reduce reliance on overseas suppliers. The US has also pushed to diversify pharmaceutical supply chains amid concerns over dependence on China for active pharmaceutical ingredients and other critical medical inputs.