President Donald Trump suggested in an interview with David Sanger that if Iran does not abide by the terms of its deal with the U.S., he might consider making the United States "the guardian of the Middle East" in return for 20 percent of the region's revenues.

Trump also posted on Truth Social: "There will be NO TOLLS in the Hormuz Strait for 60 days during the Cease Fire Period, and there will be NO TOLLS after the 60 day period has expired, unless they are imposed by and for the United States of America, should the deal not be completed, for services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East for purposes of both past, present, and future reimbursement of costs."

Trump has stated that U.S. allies should pay more for the benefits they receive from U.S. military power. He has demanded that South Korea and Japan pay more for the presence of U.S. troops on their soil. He has also suggested that the U.S. would only honor its mutual defense obligations under NATO for countries that are not "delinquent" in their defense spending.

In 2025, the U.S. inked a mutual-defense deal by executive order with Qatar. The destroyer USS Rafael Peralta implemented a maritime blockade against an Iranian-flagged ship attempting to sail toward an Iranian port on April 24, 2026, in the Arabian Sea. Iran announced on June 20, 2026, that it was reclosing the Strait of Hormuz.

Why It Matters

The Carter Doctrine stated in 1980 that any attempt to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America.