- Former President Donald Trump proposed a potential joint venture with Iran to charge tolls for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran has reportedly begun requiring ships using the Strait to pay tolls in Bitcoin, raising questions about the payment method for the proposed U.S. partnership.
- The announcement follows a reported two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, signaling a dramatic shift in regional maritime policy.
In a surprising diplomatic turn, former U.S. President Donald Trump stated on April 8, 2026, that the United States and Iran may launch a joint venture to charge tolls in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, Trump described the potential partnership as “a beautiful thing” and a method of securing the route. Consequently, this proposal marks a significant departure from previous U.S. policy regarding Iran and maritime security in the Gulf region.
The concept emerged during a reported two-week ceasefire between the two nations. President Trump explained the rationale to Karl, saying, “We’re thinking of doing it as a joint venture. It’s a way of securing it — also securing it from lots of other people.” Meanwhile, separate reports indicate Iran is already moving to implement tolls, with sources at the Financial Times stating the country will require ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz to pay their tolls in Bitcoin. Consequently, it remains unclear if the U.S. side of the proposed venture would also adopt cryptocurrency payments.
Any breakdown in the limited ceasefire could halt transit or alter the payment framework. For now, the introduction of bitcoin as a toll mechanism presents a test case for cryptocurrency use in sovereign-controlled trade routes.
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