Trump Claims US Has Total Control Over Strait of Hormuz
Xinhua · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
US President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that the United States has "total control" over the strategic Strait of Hormuz and will maintain that dominance, issuing the claim through his Truth Social platform amid an ongoing six-month conflict with Iran . The statement comes as US and Israeli forces continue military operations targeting Tehran's leadership and nuclear infrastructure, while Iran has mounted an effective economic counteroffense by disrupting commercial shipping through the waterway .
Key Points
- Trump wrote on Truth Social: "The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!" and described the US naval blockade as "A WALL OF STEEL"
- The US-Israel war against Iran began on February 28 with stated goals of forcing Tehran to abandon its nuclear program and achieving regime change
- Iran has killed a significant portion of its leadership and heavily bombed military installations through nearly six months of operations
- Iran has responded with missile attacks on US bases in the region, Israel, and US-allied Gulf countries
- Iran claims it effectively controls much of the waterway and plans to impose a toll system on vessels transiting the strait
Why It Matters
The Strait of Hormuz handles approximately one-fifth of the world's oil shipments, making any disruption to shipping through the waterway a global economic concern . With Trump's political popularity declining ahead of November's midterm elections, analysts suggest he is backing away from escalation in favor of a "low-key" blockade strategy that relies on economic pressure, leaving the war in a stalemate while global energy markets remain vulnerable to further disruption .
The Strait of Hormuz handles approximately one-fifth of the world's oil shipments, making any disruption to shipping through the waterway a global economic concern . With Trump's political popularity declining ahead of November's midterm elections, analysts suggest he is backing away from escalation in favor of a "low-key" blockade strategy that relies on economic pressure, leaving the war in a stalemate while global energy markets remain vulnerable to further disruption .