US President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed that Washington had “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, sharply escalating rhetoric against Iran as tensions remain high over the ongoing Middle East conflict, maritime security in the Gulf and stalled negotiations over reopening the strategic waterway.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT! Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, "A WALL OF STEEL," and there is nothing Iran can do about it".
Trump also claimed that Iran’s military capabilities had been severely weakened and ended the post with the phrase, "Praise be to Allah!"
"All they have is FAKE NEWS and 300% INFLATION, and getting worse! Iran is all talk and no action, the Bully of the Middle East No Longer. Praise be to Allah! President DONALD J. TRUMP," he added in the post.
The remarks came amid a prolonged standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil trade passes.
Any disruption in traffic through the narrow passage between Iran and Oman has immediate implications for global energy markets, shipping insurance rates and broader economic stability.
The latest flare-up follows weeks of military confrontation involving Iran, Israel and US forces in the region. The conflict has deepened fears of a wider regional war, with repeated warnings from Tehran that it could restrict or disrupt maritime traffic if pressure on Iran continues to intensify.
The US has responded by maintaining a significant naval presence in the Gulf and by signalling that freedom of navigation remains a core security objective.
Trump’s comments also came as diplomatic efforts continued behind the scenes. Washington and Tehran have been engaged in indirect talks over conditions for easing the Hormuz crisis and restoring normal shipping activity.
Iran has reportedly sought compensation linked to wartime damage and sanctions-related economic losses, a demand that Trump has publicly rejected.
Pakistan said on Monday that the US and Iran appeared to be moving closer to an arrangement aimed at reducing tensions around the strait, although no formal agreement has been announced.
Officials familiar with the discussions have cautioned that major differences remain over sanctions, security guarantees and the sequencing of any de-escalation measures.
The Trump administration has simultaneously intensified economic pressure on Tehran, maintaining sanctions and warning that additional punitive measures remain under consideration if Iran refuses to cooperate.
Iranian officials have accused Washington of using military pressure and economic coercion to force concessions at the negotiating table.
Analysts say Trump’s latest statement is likely aimed at reinforcing deterrence and reassuring allies worried about energy supplies and maritime security.
However, they caution that such maximalist language could complicate ongoing diplomacy by hardening positions in Tehran and increasing domestic political pressure on Iranian leaders.
The Strait of Hormuz has long been one of the world’s most sensitive geopolitical chokepoints, and previous confrontations there have triggered spikes in oil prices and fears of military escalation.
The current crisis has already prompted heightened naval patrols, rerouting considerations by shipping companies and renewed international calls for restraint.
For now, commercial traffic through the strait continues under heavy security monitoring, but the situation remains fragile. The immediate focus is on whether ongoing negotiations can produce a limited understanding that reduces the risk of military confrontation while preserving shipping access.
Trump's forceful intervention has underlined that, despite diplomatic contacts, the Hormuz dispute remains closely tied to the wider Iran conflict and the broader struggle for influence in the Middle East.
