Published July 11, 2026 at 7:20 PM ET · Updated July 13, 2026 at 12:07 PM ET
Trump reinstates Iran blockade and imposes 20% fee on Strait of Hormuz cargo
10 independent outlets are covering this story. Verification: Confirmed — reported independently by wire/mainstream and conservative outlets. Patriot Watch links to original reporting; we don't republish it.
Trump announced the reinstatement of a naval blockade on Iran and said the United States would impose a 20% fee on cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices rose 5% following the announcement. Trump stated the U.S. would take control of the strait and charge a toll for safe passage.
Patriot Watch first flagged this story 1 d ago, when Just the News reported it. Coverage has since grown to 10 independent outlets, including 5 wire/mainstream feeds. The most recent report came 7 hr ago from Daily Signal. Verification tier: Confirmed — reported independently by wire/mainstream and conservative outlets.
⚖ The Constitutional Angle
Learning Resources v. V.O.S. Selections held that IEEPA gives the President no power to impose tariffs, because the Constitution vests the duty power in Congress alone. A 20% cargo transit fee is a duty in substance and needs statutory authorization. The Prize Cases upheld a presidential blockade but only against states in rebellion, a civil-war setting absent here.
Learning Resources v. V.O.S. Selections 607 U.S. 229 (2026)
Vote: 6-3 · Opinion: Roberts (C.J.)
THE ANSWER TO THE LITIGATED QUESTION: the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the President to impose tariffs. The Constitution vests the power to lay taxes and duties in Congress; the Executive has no inherent authority to impose peacetime tariffs (a point the government conceded), so any presidential tariff power must come from a congressional delegation. IEEPA's grant of authority to 'regulate ...
The Prize Cases (The Brig Amy Warwick; The Schooner Crenshaw; The Barque Hiawatha; The Schooner Brilliante) 67 U.S. (2 Black) 635 (1863)
Vote: 5-4 · Opinion: Grier
The President had the right, jure belli, to institute a blockade of ports held by states in rebellion — which neutrals were bound to respect — without waiting for a congressional declaration of war.
Precedent facts from the PW Law Library — primary-source verified & independently audited
