DistantNews
Support us
Trump says US will 'keep' Hormuz strait control
🇸🇬 Singapore /Conflict & Security

Trump says US will 'keep' Hormuz strait control

From CNA · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • President Donald Trump asserted that the United States has complete control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz and intends to maintain it.
  • Trump's claims come amidst an ongoing war with Iran, where the US has imposed a naval blockade, which he described as a "WALL OF STEEL."
  • The war, launched in February, aims to curb Iran's nuclear program and force regime change, but has resulted in a standoff with Iran retaliating through shipping attacks.

President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that the United States holds "total control" over the strategic Strait of Hormuz and intends to "keep it." He broadcasted this assertion on his Truth Social platform, describing the US naval blockade as a "WALL OF STEEL" that Iran cannot counter.

The USA has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!

— Donald TrumpTrump stated his assertion of US control over the Strait of Hormuz on his Truth Social platform.

Trump has consistently maintained that the US controls the vital waterway, crucial for Middle Eastern energy and commodity shipments. However, Iran asserts its own control over significant portions of the strait and plans to implement a toll system in response to the US-led war initiated on February 28. Trump reiterated to reporters on Tuesday, "We have total control over the Hormuz Strait right now. They don't have control. We have total control. We own it."

Our naval blockade is being called, by everyone, 'A WALL OF STEEL,' and there is nothing Iran can do about it.

— Donald TrumpTrump described the US naval blockade in the context of his claims about controlling the Strait of Hormuz.

The ongoing war, which has seen US and Israeli forces target Iran's military and leadership, was initially intended to halt Tehran's nuclear ambitions and prompt regime change. Iran has responded with missile attacks on regional US bases, Israel, and allied Gulf nations. Its most impactful tactic has been disrupting shipping in Hormuz, destabilizing the global economy.

We have total control over the Hormuz Strait right now. They don't have control. We have total control. We own it.

— Donald TrumpTrump reiterated US control over the Strait of Hormuz to reporters.

With his domestic popularity declining ahead of the November midterm elections, Trump has reportedly scaled back threats of escalating the conflict. The war is currently in a stalemate. However, the Republican leader indicated a potential shift towards blockading Iranian ports, a strategy he described to Axios as "low-keying." He told Axios on Sunday, "We are only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money."

We are only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money.

— Donald TrumpTrump discussed his approach to negotiations with Iran in an interview with Axios.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog