US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the United States has “total control” of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and intends to maintain its hold over the vital waterway.
Trump made the claim in a post on his Truth Social platform, describing the US naval blockade as a “wall of steel” and asserting that Iran was powerless to challenge it.
Trump has repeatedly said the United States controls the strait, a critical shipping route for the movement of oil, gas and other commodities from the Middle East.
Iran, however, maintains that it controls significant parts of the waterway and has indicated plans to impose a toll system in response to the US military campaign launched by Trump on February 28.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump said the US had “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz, adding that “we own it.”
The comments came as the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran entered its sixth month. US and Israeli forces have carried out extensive strikes on Iranian military targets and killed several senior Iranian leaders, with the campaign initially aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear programme and pursuing regime change.
Iran has retaliated with missile attacks targeting US military bases in the region, Israel and facilities in US-allied Gulf states.
Tehran’s most significant response has focused on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting traffic along the strategic trade route and raising concerns about the impact on the global economy.
With Trump facing declining political support ahead of the November midterm congressional elections, he has reportedly softened his threats to escalate the conflict in pursuit of a decisive military victory.
The situation has left the war largely at a standoff, although Trump has indicated that the US could intensify efforts to blockade Iranian ports.
In comments to Axios on Sunday, Trump described the approach as “low-keying,” saying the US was only “semi-negotiating” with Iran while monitoring the country’s economic difficulties, including high inflation and dwindling financial resources.
