The United States has branded itself the 'Guardian Angel' of the Middle East as President Donald Trump warns Iran there will be 'no tolls' in the Hormuz Strait, with officials offering clashing narratives over who controls the strategic oil corridor, according to The Hill. The standoff centres on a 60-day framework to secure an agreement concerning Tehran's nuclear programme, with failure to meet the deadline potentially triggering US maritime fees that could fundamentally alter the region's economic landscape.
The Gulf Channel transports approximately 20 per cent of the daily worldwide oil supply and has continually served as Iran's main point of leverage during the conflict. Previous blockades have choked off vital supply routes and roiled the global economy, causing crude oil prices to peak at near record-highs of $126 (£100) per barrel in late April, making control of the waterway one of the most consequential disputes in global energy markets.
