Trump Claims US Has Total Control Over Strait of Hormuz, Branding Naval Blockade a ‘Wall of Steel’

ISTANBUL, Aug 13 — United States President Donald Trump has asserted that Washington maintains absolute authority over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, declaring that American military forces are likely to maintain their presence and control in the vital maritime passage.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed that Washington exercises total oversight over the narrow waterway, which serves as a crucial conduit for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

“The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I think we will keep it,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Characterising the ongoing military campaign as a “wall of steel,” the US president insisted that Tehran no longer possesses the operational capacity to challenge American naval operations in the Middle East.

“There is nothing Iran can do about it,” Trump stated, adding that Iran’s broader military capabilities have been effectively neutralised.

Providing an operational update on maritime enforcement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American naval forces have redirected 59 commercial vessels, disabled three, and boarded two others to ensure complete adherence to the blockade.

Geopolitical tensions across West Asia have remained at critical levels since the outbreak of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran in late February. The prolonged closure and tight monitoring of the Strait of Hormuz have caused significant disruptions to international shipping routes and energy supply chains.

Although Washington and Tehran signed a preliminary memorandum of understanding in June to initiate negotiations toward a comprehensive peace framework, formal talks subsequently stalled. Discussions broke down primarily over unresolved disagreements regarding permanent security guarantees and unrestricted freedom of navigation through the waterway.

–NMT