It has been about a week since the US and Iran began another mutual attack on July 7, 2026. The US military announced the resumption of its maritime blockade against Iran, while Iran proposed a new bill for the management of the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides continue to engage in intense games around the Strait of Hormuz. On July 14th, US President Trump changed his stance again, stating that he would not charge a 20% fee for goods transported through the Strait of Hormuz, but instead replaced it with trade and investment agreements reached between Gulf countries and the United States.
Meanwhile, according to Reuters on July 14th, US senators announced an updated version of the Russia Sanctions Act on July 14th, which will empower Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five buyers of Russian crude oil and natural gas. Senate aides stated that the top five buyers of Russian crude oil are China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan; The main importers of natural gas from Russia are China, France, Japan, Hungary, and Belgium.
US military resumes maritime blockade against Iran, Iran proposes new bill for strait control
It is generally believed that the core crux of the conflict in this round lies in the competition between the United States and Iran for the management of the Strait of Hormuz. According to a statement released by the US Central Command at around 4:00 pm on July 14th, the US military has resumed the maritime blockade on ships entering and leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas at 4:00 pm Eastern Time that day. The US Central Command stated that there are currently over 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft carrying out missions in the Middle East region. According to President Trump's previous statement on the 13th, the United States has resumed its blockade measures against Iran, aimed at restricting its entry and exit into the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has also taken action at the legislative level. Ibrahim Aziz, Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian Parliament, announced on July 14th that the Iranian Parliament officially proposed the "Strategic Action for Security and Sustainable Development in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf" bill on the evening of July 13th. Aziz stated that Iran remains steadfast in defending the red line, especially regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz. Aziz added, "This is the first step, and follow-up measures are about to be taken." On the same day, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Babadi also stated that in wartime situations, Iran has complete control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Freight charges to investment agreement ,Trump proposes new 'compensation' plan
Previously, Trump claimed that the United States provides "protection" to countries in the Middle East and pays management costs for safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Middle Eastern countries need to provide "compensation" to the United States for this, and the specific plan was updated on the 14th.
According to Trump's previous statement, the United States will charge a 20% fee for all goods transported through the Strait of Hormuz. On July 14th, the specific method of this fee was changed to a trade and investment agreement between Gulf countries and the United States. Trump said that this decision was made after his talks with leaders of Middle Eastern countries. These investments will be extremely massive, and we will see factories, facilities, and equipment flooding into the United States on an unprecedented scale, creating millions of high paying American jobs! America has won again.
The United States plans to impose 100% tariffs on the top 5 buyers of Russian oil and gas
According to Reuters on July 14th, US senators released an updated version of the Russia Sanctions Act on July 14th. This new version of the bill, negotiated by senators from both parties, will empower Trump to impose "secondary tariffs" of up to 100% on the top five buyers of Russian crude oil and natural gas.
The new version has relaxed tariffs imposed on third-party buyers of Russian oil and gas, reducing the tariff cap from the original proposal's comprehensive 500% to 100% for the top five buyers. The 100% tariff levied is a 'secondary tariff' that applies to all goods and services imported from these countries. In addition, for countries that import less than 15% of Russian natural gas exports and are taking significant measures to reduce imports, the bill provides exception clauses, which may grant exemptions to Japan, France, Hungary, and Belgium.
Senate aides stated that the top five buyers of Russian crude oil are China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan. The main importers of natural gas from Russia are China, France, Japan, Hungary, and Belgium.
Previously, in August 2025, Trump imposed an additional 25% "secondary tariff" on India due to the purchase of Russian oil. In February 2026, Trump signed an executive order announcing that India had pledged to cease direct or indirect imports of Russian oil and agreed to purchase American energy products and expand defense cooperation. In exchange, the US has lifted the 25% punitive tariff. So far, the United States has only imposed such "secondary tariffs" on India.
In response to this, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated at a regular press conference on July 15th that China firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions without international legal basis or authorization from the United Nations Security Council. China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its own enterprises and citizens. Lin Jian emphasized that applying "double standards" and coercion will ultimately only result in lifting a stone and hitting himself in the foot.
