US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States now has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, signalling that Washington could maintain its naval blockade of the strategic waterway despite its importance to global energy supplies.
In a post attributed to Trump on Wednesday, he said the US had established what he described as a “wall of steel” around the strait and indicated that Iran was in no position to challenge the blockade.
“The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!” the post stated.
Trump described the US naval presence as a formidable barrier, saying the blockade was being referred to as “A WALL OF STEEL”. He further claimed that Iran lacked the military capability to break through the US-controlled maritime operation.
The US President alleged that Iran had been severely weakened militarily, claiming that the country had no functioning navy or air force, while its remaining soldiers were unpaid. He also alleged that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had been “decimated” and was fleeing.
Trump further questioned the stability of Iran’s leadership and economic position, claiming that Tehran had little money and that the country’s economy was in severe distress.
He also accused Iran of relying on what he called “FAKE NEWS” and claimed that inflation in the country had reached 300 per cent and was worsening. These claims were presented in the post as part of his argument that Iran no longer had the capacity to act as a dominant regional power.
The statement comes against the backdrop of continued uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for global oil and gas shipments. Any prolonged restriction of traffic through the waterway could continue to affect crude supplies, tanker movements, freight costs and energy prices.
Trump also portrayed the US military position as evidence that Iran had lost its previous influence in the Middle East, declaring that the country was no longer “the Bully of the Middle East”.
The post ended with “Praise be to Allah!” before Trump signed off as “President DONALD J. TRUMP”.
The development could further complicate efforts to restore normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, particularly as negotiations over reopening the waterway remain uncertain. Any indication that the US intends to maintain the blockade could prolong disruptions to tanker traffic and keep pressure on global crude oil prices, with the market closely watching the next move from Washington and Tehran.