Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi yesterday mocked U.S. President Donald Trump over his vow to impose hefty charges on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran would charge a lower rate.

“POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service. Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so forever. 20 per cent is of course too much. We will be fair,” Tehran’s top diplomat wrote, in a social media post.

U.S. president had said the strait will remain open ‘with or without’ Iran and there will be a 20 per cent rate charged on all cargo shipped; Iran’s Abbas Araghchi shot back that Iran would charge a lower rate.

Donald ⁠Trump ​has said ⁠in ⁠an ​interview ‌with ‌Hugh ‌Hewitt that Iran ‌would be hit hard ​Monday ⁠and ​Tuesday.

Trump has said he will make a primetime address to the nation on Thursday, in an announcement that comes amid a major flare-up of hostilities with Iran.

“President Trump will be making a Speech to the Nation on Thursday evening, at 9 P.M. Eastern (0100 GMT Friday). Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump said in a post Monday on his Truth Social network.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has said that passage through the strait of Hormuz “should remain free of any tolls and charges, in accordance with international law”.

It comes shortly after Donald Trump’s announcement that he would reinstate a US blockade of Iranian ships in the strait and levy a 20% fee “for any and all costs necessary” to provide security and safety for ships transiting through the critical waterway.

“The right of transit passage through straits used for international navigation should not be threatened, impeded, denied, hampered, impaired or suspended,” said IMO Council, the IMO’s executive body. There are 40 member nations including the United States.
“Any measures taken by coastal States to regulate traffic in vital shipping lanes should be done with accordance with IMO regulations under the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS),” it added.
The IMO reaffirmed its commitment to protecting vital shipping lanes, defending freedom of navigation, upholding international law and ensuring the safety of seafarers.
It also condemned attacks on civilian commercial ships in and around the strait and called for de-escalation of tensions in the region.