Live updates: Trump drops Strait of Hormuz toll in favor of investment; Kagan, Barrett spell out justices’ security issues
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- Trump dropped a proposed 20 percent fee on Strait of Hormuz shipping, pivoting to promote investment deals with Gulf countries instead
- Trump hosted Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House amid a resurgence of near-daily strikes between the U.S. and Iran
- U.S. forces resumed a blockade of Iran, even as Trump walked back the controversial toll proposal on Hormuz shipping
- Iran has engaged in near-daily strikes with the U.S., signaling continued hostilities despite earlier ceasefire efforts
- The Hill's survey shows 80% of Americans expect an extended war with Iran, reflecting public perception of deepening conflict
- NPR News and CBC World report Trump's reversal on the toll while emphasizing the ongoing U.S. blockade, highlighting a strategic shift rather than de-escalation
Why it matters: The U.S. maintains pressure on Iran through blockade despite scrapping the toll, keeping oil routes tense. With 80% of Americans anticipating prolonged war, the shift to diplomacy via investment doesn't reduce immediate military risk — it reframes it. Stakeholders in Gulf trade face uncertainty as policy swings from fees to deals without reducing strikes.
