Trump says US will ‘retain control’ of Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed that the United States has “total control” over the strategic Strait of Hormuz and said Washington intends to maintain that control.

“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. He also described the US naval blockade as “a WALL OF STEEL,” saying Iran has no way to challenge it.

Trump has repeatedly asserted that the US controls the crucial waterway, which serves as a major route for energy and commodity shipments from the Middle East.

Iran, however, disputes the claim, saying it controls a significant portion of the strait and plans to introduce a toll system in response to the US war launched by Trump on February 28.

Speaking to reporters late Tuesday, Trump again insisted that the United States had complete control of the waterway, saying, “We have total control over the Hormuz Strait right now. They don't have control. We have total control. We own it.”

The conflict has continued for nearly six months, with US and Israeli forces carrying out extensive strikes on Iranian military targets and killing several senior Iranian leaders. The campaign initially aimed, among other objectives, to force Tehran to abandon its nuclear programme and pursue regime change.

Iran has retaliated with missile attacks on US bases in the region, Israel and targets in US-allied Gulf states. Its most significant response has involved attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting a vital global trade route and raising concerns over the wider economic impact.

Facing declining political support at home ahead of November’s midterm congressional elections, Trump has softened his threats of further escalation in pursuit of a decisive victory, leaving the conflict largely at a stalemate.

Trump has nevertheless said the United States is prepared to target Iranian ports as part of a blockade strategy he described to Axios as “low-keying.”

“We are only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money,” Trump told Axios on Sunday.