Tehran: Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that Tehran will continue to be the "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz following US President Donald Trumps proposition to impose fees on shipping through the strategic waterway, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

According to Nam News Network, Araghchi commented on the US social media platform X, stating, "POTUS (president of the US) is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service." He further affirmed, "Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER."

President Trump declared earlier on Monday that the US intends to blockade Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and levy a 20 percent toll on ships for safe passage.

Araghchi responded to the toll proposal by saying, "20 per cent is of course too much. We will be fair." The ongoing tensions between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz have heightened, despite a Pakistani-mediated memorandum of understanding aimed at resolving their conflict and achieving a lasting peace agreement.