While the announcement of the U.S. charging fees has definitely gotten the most talk and focus, the arguably bigger point is the reestablishment of the blockade. Since it was first lifted, it has come out that the blockade was more damaging to the Iranian government than it appeared to be (though in line with what U.S. officials had said). This has been a wild fumble by Iran that results in them well... losing the leverage they already had.

Over the next few days, it will be very, very interesting to see if we see developments out of the Middle East with Gulf Nations joining in the protection of the Strait and if they start putting assets on public display to combat the Islamic Regime. We have already seen Saudi or the Yemeni government bomb the Houthi-controlled airport after an Iranian plane was trying to land, so we are seeing action in Yemen that isn't U.S. led. Time will tell if this continues to grow and more actions are taken by Gulf States to assist in keeping the Strait open in return for something like no fees.

To be honest, though, I do not see the fees actually going into effect unless nothing happens and Trump moves to enact them to get something going.