Trump Says U.S. Has 'Total Control' of Strait of Hormuz, Vows to Keep It
“The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, describing the US naval blockade as a “WALL OF STEEL” and saying there was nothing Iran could do about it.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States has “total control” over the strategic Strait of Hormuz and suggested Washington intends to maintain control of the vital waterway amid the ongoing war with Iran.
“The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, describing the US naval blockade as a “WALL OF STEEL” and saying there was nothing Iran could do about it.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that US forces control the strait, which is a critical route for global energy and commodity shipments. On Tuesday, he told reporters, “We have total control over the Hormuz Strait right now. They don't have control. We have total control. We own it.”
Iran, however, maintains that it effectively controls significant parts of the waterway and has said it intends to impose a toll system in response to the US military campaign launched on February 28.
The nearly six-month conflict has seen US and Israeli forces carry out extensive strikes against Iranian military targets and leadership, with Washington initially seeking to pressure Tehran over its nuclear program and pursue broader political objectives.
Iran has responded with missile attacks on US bases across the region, Israel, and targets in US-allied Gulf states. Its most consequential response has involved attacks and restrictions affecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting one of the world's most important trade routes and contributing to wider economic uncertainty.
The confrontation has increasingly settled into a standoff, as Trump has backed away from some threats of further escalation amid declining political support at home and ahead of the November midterm congressional elections.
Trump has instead indicated that Washington could focus on maintaining pressure through a blockade of Iranian ports. In an interview with Axios on Sunday, he described the approach as “low-keying” the conflict.
“We are only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money,” Trump said.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is a key passage for oil and other energy shipments between the Persian Gulf and international markets. Any prolonged disruption to the waterway could have significant consequences for global energy supplies and prices.