Trump says US will 'keep' Hormuz strait control

President Donald Trump asserted on Wednesday that the United States maintains control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz and intends to retain it. He stated on his Truth Social platform, "Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, A WALL OF STEEL, and there is nothing Iran can do about it." Iran, in response, claims to effectively control most of the waterway, with plans to impose a toll system in opposition to the ongoing US war launched on February 28.

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump told reporters, "We have total control over the Hormuz Strait right now. They don't have control. We have total control. We own it." The US and Israeli forces have extensively bombed Iran's military and eliminated a significant portion of the country's leadership in the ongoing war, initially aiming to compel Tehran to abandon its nuclear power program and achieve regime change.

Iran has retaliated through missile attacks on US bases in the region, Israel, and targets in US-allied Gulf countries. Its most impactful response has been targeting shipping in Hormuz, significantly disrupting the trade route and causing global economic concern. Despite his political standing declining at home ahead of the November midterm congressional elections, Trump has moderated his stance on escalating the war for a decisive outcome.

The Republican now says the US is prepared to focus on blockading Iranian ports, describing it as a "low-keying" strategy.