Trump asserts total U.S. control of Strait of Hormuz; Iran sets conditions for reopening

President Trump stated the United States has total control of the Strait of Hormuz and suggested the U.S. should retain it, per statements reported by ABC News. The assertion comes amid active military operations and ongoing diplomatic contact between Washington and Tehran.

Trump said in multiple statements, "The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!" and repeated the claim in follow-up remarks: "We totally control the Strait of Hormuz. We have control over it. Nobody else, only us. Our navy is unbelievable." He also stated, "We have total control over the Hormuz Strait right now. They don't have control. We have total control. We own it."

Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei directly disputed this characterization of the strait's status. According to ABC News, Rezaei stated: "The Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened until the United States ends the war and blockade, releases Iran's frozen assets, and the war throughout the region, including in Lebanon and Gaza, ends. The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until all conditions are met."

Delegations from the U.S. and Iran entered negotiations in June aimed at a war-ending deal based on a memorandum of understanding signed by both countries, per ABC News. Trump, however, expressed skepticism about Iran's reliability. He said, "I don't trust Iran. I'm the last person to trust Iran. They've lied to me constantly." He also stated, "And at some point, maybe they'll do something and then they get blown away. Right now, we're in a very good position."

The Strait of Hormuz remains the site of shipping incidents linked to Iran-aligned actors. The International Maritime Organization Secretary-General released a statement condemning a deadly attack on a cargo ship off Yemen. At least six people were killed in two attacks on the Egyptian-owned Tihamah cargo ship, according to Yemeni officials cited by ABC News. The Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen said they targeted what they described as "a Saudi military equipment transport ship," though did not name the vessel.

Trump also characterized Iran's overall position as weakened. He said, "Iran is all talk and no action, the Bully of the Middle East No Longer" and stated, "They have No Money. Their country is 'shot.' All they have is FAKE NEWS and 300% INFLATION, and getting worse."

In February, Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government, and infrastructure sites, per ABC News.