60 days or toll tax! Trump’s new threat creates panic in Middle East, America will now take recovery in Hormuz

A very shocking news is coming out from the point of view of Middle East politics and global economy. US President Donald Trump has issued a direct warning, adopting a very tough and aggressive stance towards Iran. Trump has clearly said that if a final and permanent peace agreement is not reached with Iran within the next 60 days, then Washington (America) itself will impose its maritime toll tax on all commercial ships passing through the diplomatically important ‘Strait of Hormuz’. After this unexpected threat from Trump, there has been a stir in the global oil market and diplomatic corridors. Did Trump bow to domestic pressure? Questions raised on the terms of the interim agreement. Actually, recently an interim agreement was signed between America and Tehran (Iran). Under this agreement, merchant ships were given free passage through this strategic sea route without any tax or hindrance for only two months (60 days). Due to this, political pressure on the Trump administration was increasing rapidly within America. Critics said that Iran is benefiting from this exemption. President Trump has taken this tough stance only after being surrounded at the domestic level and has given an ultimatum of 60 days. America will become a ‘Guardian Angel’: Trump said – Will collect taxes to compensate for the army’s expenses. In a very aggressive statement issued on social media from Camp David, President Trump made his strategy clear. Trying to calm domestic and global concerns, he made it clear that no other country (especially Iran) will be allowed to collect sea tax on this route during or after this 60-day deadline. Even if tax is taken, that money will come directly into America’s account. Trump gave a strange argument to justify this possible US toll tax. He said that the US military acts like a ‘guardian angel’ (protector) for the countries of the Middle East and international trade ships and provides them security. Therefore, the huge operational expenses incurred in the past and in the future in return for these services provided by the US military will be compensated through this tax. Great churning in Switzerland: Nuclear talks mediated by Pakistan and Qatar. Trump’s sudden threat has come at a time when a very delicate and sensitive phase of diplomatic talks is about to begin in Switzerland. In this high-profile talks, Pakistan and Qatar are playing the role of main mediators, who are trying to bring both the superpowers to one table. The main objective of this secret and important talks is to finalize a comprehensive nuclear agreement and reduce war tensions in the region. How seriously this conversation is being taken can be gauged from the fact that many big global leaders including US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker (Speaker) Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf are reaching Europe for this great brainstorming. But Trump’s toll tax condition has made the path of negotiations difficult. Iran had threatened to block the road by using the Lebanon attack as an excuse. Let us tell you that questions were being raised on the strength of this interim agreement from the very first day. Citing the recent Israeli military attacks in Lebanon, Iran’s top military command had initially announced the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all ships. Iran had accused Washington of reneging on its diplomatic promises and breaking the ceasefire. Tehran argued that the first condition of the initial agreement was to immediately stop hostilities and war on all fronts, which did not happen. What is at stake on the economic front? Despite Iran’s sharp rhetoric and threat of blockade, Washington has completely rejected Iran’s claim of sovereign rights over international shipping lanes. US Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is running smoothly under the close supervision of Western navies. Even immediately after this diplomatic dispute, dozens of huge merchant ships carrying millions of barrels of crude oil have passed through this route safely. However, the Arab countries of the Gulf are strongly against any new maritime rules or US toll tax that would affect the movement of international ships or make the transportation of oil expensive. In such a situation, this new condition for imposing tax by Trump has further complicated the talks in Switzerland. Now the biggest challenge before global diplomats is to save the world from a major economic and energy crisis and also find a middle path to this aggressive demand of America.