Odaily reported, citing Xinhua, that U.S. President Donald Trump said during an interview with Fox News on the 21st that if the United States and Iran fail to reach an agreement, the United States would become the “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz and collect 20% of oil revenue from the Middle East. The remarks centered on U.S.-Iran relations and the issue of whether the Strait of Hormuz remains open.
Trump links Hormuz role to 20% oil revenue
According to the report, Trump described the U.S. role in the Strait of Hormuz as that of a “guardian.” He said that, in the event Washington and Tehran do not reach an agreement, the United States would take on that role and collect 20% of oil revenue from the Middle East. The report did not provide additional details about the contents of the agreement or how such a revenue arrangement would be carried out.
The media outlet also said Trump spoke with the Iranian side on the evening of the 20th and warned them not to close the Strait of Hormuz. Trump told Iranian officials: “If you close it, you’re not going to have a country anymore.” Odaily’s newsflash attributed the information to Xinhua.