Donald Trump Monday, announced on Truth Social that the U.S. is reinstating the "Iranian Blockade" on the Strait of Hormuz, declaring the waterway "OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran." The President stated the measure targets only Iranian ships or customers, while all other nations retain "fair and open use" of the strategic corridor.

The president declared the U.S. will act as the "Guardian of the Hormuz Strait" and demanded a 20% reimbursement on all cargo shipped to cover security costs, asserting the process would begin immediately. However critics point out that Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) controls ship transit through the strait by firing missiles on ships that try to take the US-supported route off the Omani coast.

"The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran. We are reinstating THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran's ships or customers from entering or leaving. All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as 'THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,' but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World. The process and formation will begin immediately."

Earlier in the day, during a phone interview on Fox News, Trump claimed, "We’re taking over the strait... We’re going to get paid for guarding it—a lot of money," suggesting wealthy Gulf nations should reimburse the U.S. for keeping the channel secure.

The reinstatement follows a breakdown in a 60-day truce and a weekend of intensified tit-for-tat missile and drone strikes between the U.S. and Iran, sparked by attacks on commercial shipping off the coast of Oman. Sunday's strikes marks the first combat use of U.S. unmanned surface vessels (Corsair drones) to strike facilities at the Bandar Abbas Naval Base.

In response, Iran declared the Strait closed, with the Revolutionary Guard vowing to prevent "illegal interference" by U.S. forces, while Iranian Foreign Ministry officials accused Washington of undermining the interim peace agreement.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed via X post, that enforcement of the naval blockade against all Iranian ports and coastal areas will commence on Tuesday, July 14, at 4 p.m. ET (2000 UTC). The military command warned that neutral vessels must depart the blockaded zone before the deadline, stating that any ship suspected of entering or leaving without authorization faces interception, diversion, and capture.

CENTCOM emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for global trade and that Iran does not control it, following recent U.S. strikes on Iranian air-defense systems, radar sites, and drone capabilities.

TThe Strait of Hormuz is the most vital chokepoint in the global energy market, carrying roughly 20% of the world's petroleum and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded with dry sarcasm on social media. While mockingly agreeing that safe passage "should be compensated," he declared that Iran is and will remain the sole "GUARDIAN of the Strait". He added that Trump's proposed "20% is of course too much." Meanwhile, Iranian military commanders warned Gulf nations that providing logistical support to the U.S. blockade would be treated as "an act of war."

Maritime legal experts and international allies have raised concerns over Trump's plan to levy a 20% fee on transiting cargo. Historically, the U.S. has fiercely defended the Strait as an open international waterway free of transit fees. Implementation of a toll would likely trigger immense legal battles and push global energy prices higher.

However political observers and critics say that Trump appear to be flailing and "stuck" in the messy conflict with Iran, dismissing his social media post about a 20% transit fee as a desperate and provoctive rhetoric aimed at making the president appear in control of events on the ground in the strait.

Key importing nations in Asia, such as India, South Korea, and Thailand, are highly vulnerable to prolonged disruptions in the Strait. Previous weeks of the blockade in the spring of 2026 reportedly cost the Iranian economy billions, but also drove up global shipping insurance and fuel prices.

Max Holloway defeated Conor McGregor via first-round TKO at UFC 329 in Las Vegas, ending the bout just 1:09 into the opening round. McGregor suffered a severe right knee injury while attempting a jumping left roundhouse kick to start the fight, causing him to land awkwardly and collapse.

Holloway followed with ground strikes before referee Marc Goddard stepped in; McGregor was unable to continue, leading Holloway to signal the referee to stop the fight due to his opponent's obvious distress.

This welterweight bout marked McGregor’s return to the Octagon after a five-year hiatus, having last competed in 2021. The rematch was highly anticipated, as McGregor previously defeated Holloway via TKO in 2013 at featherweight.

Commentators noted the tragedy of the moment, with Daniel Cormier suggesting McGregor’s return from a long layoff may have overloaded his executive functions, leading to the reckless attempt that caused the injury.

UFC CEO Dana White indicated medical staff suspected a torn ACL, casting doubt on McGregor’s future in the sport.

"I was so sharp and so ready for this fight I cannot believe what has happened. The talk of me being off while walking in to the fight is nonsense. I was calm, ready, and confident. I am in shock what has taken place. The devil is literally staring at me right in front of my face here. I am not engaging. I will be at church tomorrow. I will overcome this. I will not be deterred. I will return," McGregor wrote on X after the fight.

Here the other key results from UFC 329.

Paddy Pimblett defeated Benoît Saint Denis via technical submission (D’Arce choke) at 0:52 of Round 1.

Mario Bautista defeated Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

Brandon Royval defeated Lone’er Kavanagh via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:40 of Round 3.

King Green defeated Terrance McKinney via TKO at 4:59 of Round 1.

Robert Whittaker defeated Nikita Krylov via TKO at 1:01 of Round 3.

Adrian Yañez defeated Cody Garbrandt via TKO at 2:47 of Round 1.

Argentina and England advanced to the 2026 World Cup semifinals after dramatic extra-time victories over Switzerland and Norway, respectively, setting up a historic clash between the top-ranked teams in the tournament. Argentina defeated the 10-man Swiss side 3-1 in Kansas City, while England edged out Norway 2-1 in Miami, securing their first-ever semifinal meeting in a rivalry renewed after 36 years.

The match between Argentina and Switzerland was a tense tactical battle where the Swiss held the defending champions to a 1-1 draw through goals by Alexis Mac Allister and Dan Ndoye.

The game swung dramatically when Breel Embolo was sent off for a second yellow card following a VAR review for simulation, leaving Switzerland to defend for over 50 minutes. Julián Álvarez broke the deadlock in the 112th minute with a stunning long-range strike, and Lautaro Martínez added a late rebound in stoppage time to seal the 3-1 win, extending Argentina’s unbeaten streak in World Cup matches to 12.

In the earlier quarterfinal, England faced a resilient Norway side that opened the scoring through Andreas Schjelderup before halftime.

Jude Bellingham leveled the score with a precise slice just before the break and delivered the winner in extra time, completing a brace that kept England’s hopes alive for their first title since 1966. Manager Thomas Tuchel criticized his team’s sloppy performance despite the win, while the victory marked only England’s fourth appearance in a World Cup semifinal.

The two teams will meet in the semifinals on July 15 in Atlanta, where they will face off for the first time in a World Cup knockout stage since the 1990 quarterfinals. This matchup ensures that the final four consists of the top four ranked teams globally, with France and Spain set to face each other in the other semifinal on July 14.

The England-Argentina clash carries significant historical weight, tracing back to the 1986 "Hand of God" incident, now adding a new chapter to one of football’s most storied rivalries.