Brett Erickson, a risk analyst and Geopolitics expert at Obsidian Risk Advisors, has slammed President Donald Trump‘s plan to impose a 20% fee on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz as tensions with Iran escalate.
Trump is Desperate
In a post on X on Monday, the analyst said that he thinks Trump is not serious about the Strait of Hormuz fee. “My answer is pretty simply. No,” the analyst said.
Read Also: 3 Shipping And Insurance Stocks To Watch As Hormuz Tensions Rise
“I think this is a statement from a man who is increasingly desperate,” he said. He added that Trump was also “wildly stressed,” due to the Iran situation.
“There is absolutely zero chance whatsoever anything remotely close to that happens,” Erickson said in his post. Trump had taken to Truth Social via a post on Monday to announce the plan to charge 20% fees on vessels, calling the U.S. “THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT.”
People have been repeatedly asking me if I think Trump is serious about his statement that the US would impose 20% fees on transits through the Strait of Hormuz.
— Brett Erickson (@BrettErickson28) July 13, 2026
My answer is pretty simply. No. I think this is a statement from a man who is increasingly desperate, wildly…
Omani Route is Unsafe
In a separate post, Erickson also criticized the Omani route through the waterway that has been touted by the U.S., saying that the U.S. “cannot protect vessels navigating the Omani Route,” pointing to two vessels being struck in the area.
Read Also: US Launches New Strikes on Iran as CENTCOM Says Iran 'Does Not Control' Strait of Hormuz
“It is irresponsible for the United States to try to coerce vessels to utilize this route when it has been proven over and over to be unsafe,” Erickson said. He then said that the Trump administration was putting the lives of civilians and soldiers at risk.
He then delivered sharp criticism of Trump in his post. “The more civilians that get killed, the more American troops that get killed, is that much more propaganda that Trump can use to sell more war to the American people,” the analyst said.
It is clear as day that the United States cannot protect vessels navigating the Omani Route. Just minutes ago, two vessels were struck by Iran whilst utilizing this route, killing one and injuring eight.
— Brett Erickson (@BrettErickson28) July 13, 2026
It is irresponsible for the United States to try to coerce vessels to… https://t.co/iOeexSXLeU
Iran Weighs in on Trump’s Toll
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, weighed in on Trump’s plan to impose a fee on vessels traveling through the Strait, saying that the President was “absolutely right” in demanding compensation. “Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service,” he said.
He then said that Iran has been that guardian and will continue to be, but pushed back against charging 20%, which Araghchi deemed too steep.
Trump formally wrote a letter addressed to Congress on July 10, saying that the war with Iran had officially resumed on July 7. He said that since the hostilities kicked off a fresh 60-day period under the War Powers Act, the administration can continue military operations without additional congressional authorization.
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