U.S. Rejects Iranian Strait Closure Claim; Trump Warns of Future Shipping Tolls

In the last 24 hours, the U.S. government has flatly denied Iranian claims that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed to maritime traffic. President Donald Trump and U.S. Central Command confirmed that the vital energy chokepoint remains operational, with approximately 55 merchant vessels carrying over 17 million barrels of oil transiting the waterway on Saturday. President Trump further escalated economic stakes by stating that while no tolls exist currently, the U.S. may impose shipping fees after a 60-day period if a permanent agreement with Tehran is not secured. Diplomatically, the focus has shifted to Switzerland, where U.S. and Iranian representatives are convening for technical-level discussions. Vice President JD Vance and envoy Steve Witkoff are reportedly en route to participate in these follow-on talks intended to refine the current interim memorandum. However, the atmosphere remains strained as Iranian officials insist that progress is contingent on a total cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, where exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah continue to challenge the existing ceasefire framework. The standoff has increasingly turned the Strait of Hormuz into a tool of economic and political leverage. Tehran has signaled it views the maritime pressure as a response to perceived U.S. and Israeli violations of regional agreements. Conversely, the Trump administration has framed U.S. security enforcement in the region as a service that could warrant compensation through future tolls, heightening the urgency for a diplomatic resolution within the 60-day window.