日本語
한국어
Polski
Deutsch
Nederlands
Español
Français
Português
Italiano
Svenska
繁體中文
Dansk
// DOSSIER — us-iran-strait-hormuz-control-claims
US and Iran Trade Competing Claims of Control Over the Strait of Hormuz
REL_TIME: 14 Aug 2026 00:12Z · LANG: EN
A sharp rhetorical conflict has erupted between the United States and Iran over the control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that the US military has established a naval blockade, which he termed a 'Wall of Steel,' giving the US 'total control' over the waterway. Iranian military, diplomatic, and paramilitary officials swiftly rejected these claims as 'lies and fabrications,' asserting that the strait remains entirely under Iranian management and control, as it has since the outbreak of regional conflict on February 28.
// Background
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global energy conduit. Since the outbreak of war in the Middle East on February 28, Iran has asserted control over the passage, requiring commercial vessels and tankers to obtain permission and pay transit fees. While Iran and Oman have engaged in negotiations to establish an alternative route, Tehran insists that any new route will remain restricted unless the United States satisfies its diplomatic and military demands.
// Key Developments
- US President Donald Trump claimed the US has 'total control' over the Strait of Hormuz via a naval blockade called a 'Wall of Steel.'
- Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari dismissed Trump's claims as 'lies and fabrications,' stating no commercial vessel can safely pass without Iranian permission.
- Hossein Taeb, head of Iran's Basij paramilitary unit, reaffirmed that the waterway is under the Islamic Republic's management.
- Iranian parliamentarian Behnam Saeedi declared the strait closed to all US military and Israeli commercial vessels.
- Iran and Oman have held unfinalized talks regarding a new transit route, though Tehran maintains this will not open the waterway unless US demands are met.
// Timeline
-
War breaks out in the Middle East, prompting Iran to seize operational control of the Strait of Hormuz and implement transit permissions and fees.
-
US President Donald Trump posts on Truth Social, claiming the US has established a 'Wall of Steel' naval blockade and has total control of the strait.
-
Iranian military, diplomatic, and paramilitary leaders issue coordinated statements rejecting Trump's claims as lies and reaffirming Iranian sovereignty over the waterway.
// Perspectives
[United States (President Donald Trump)]
Asserts absolute control over the Strait of Hormuz through an active naval blockade, declaring that Iran is powerless to bypass it.
[Iran (Military and Government)]
Rejects US claims as false propaganda, maintaining absolute operational control over the waterway, enforcing transit fees, and barring US and Israeli vessels.
// Quotes
“Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, 'A WALL OF STEEL,' and there is nothing Iran can do about it.”
“The false claims of the United States that ships are passing through the Strait of Hormuz normally ... are nothing more than lies and fabrications.”
“The US has long miscalculated due to intelligence failures. Case in point: The war on Iran. Now, an even bigger miscalculation on the Strait of Hormuz.”
