Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi responded to a statement by US President Donald Trump, on Monday, in which he said that the United States would play the role of “protector of the Strait of Hormuz” after controlling it and imposing fees for passage through it. “The president is absolutely right,” Araqchi wrote on the “X” platform on Monday evening. “Everyone who provides safe passage for commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz must be compensated.” He added: "Iran has always been the protector of the Strait, and it will remain so forever." But he continued in his post: “The 20 percent figure is undoubtedly exaggerated. We will be fair.” Earlier Monday, Trump said that the United States “will be the protector of the Strait of Hormuz,” confirming the imposition of transit fees through the Strait.