United States President Donald Trump has called for the US to take control of the Strait of Hormuz, saying Washington should oversee security in the strategic waterway and be compensated by countries that benefit from its protection.

Speaking during a television interview on Monday, Trump said the United States could become the guardian of the strait, arguing that wealthy nations relying on the route for oil shipments should help cover the cost of maintaining its security.

His comments come amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route through which a significant share of the world’s crude exports passes.

Iran recently announced the closure of the waterway, saying shipping would remain suspended until stability returns to the region. The decision followed renewed military confrontations between Tehran and Washington.

Trump also accused Iran of repeatedly failing to honour previous agreements, warning that the United States would respond strongly to any further provocations.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards insisted that commercial shipping would only resume after the United States ends its military operations in the area. The group warned that continued hostilities could further disrupt global oil and gas markets.

The latest exchange follows missile and drone attacks between US and Iranian forces over the weekend, with Iran claiming it struck American military facilities across the Gulf while maintaining restrictions on traffic through the strait.

The renewed conflict has increased uncertainty in global energy markets, pushing crude oil prices higher and raising concerns over the future of a temporary US-Iran understanding reached last month to reopen the waterway and resume diplomatic negotiations.