Shipping toll for Hormuz passage sharply divides nations

When the United States and Israel launched their attack on Iran on February 28, Iran responded by blocking passage through the key Strait to all but a handful of vessels. While Iran agreed to reopen the thoroughfare during the two-week truce with the United States, it has also spoken of a toll system to fund reconstruction following punishing US-Israeli attacks. The European Union was quick to denounce the idea Thursday. US President Donald Trump’s position however appears more ambivalent. The stakes are high, given that a fifth of the world’s oil as well as vast quantities of natural gas and…