"US has total control over Strait of Hormuz": Trump says Iran can do "nothing"
Washington, DC, August 12
President Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday that the US exercised "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz, and he "will keep it" amid stalled negotiations with Iran regarding the reopening of the strategic conduit.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump asserted, "The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT! Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, 'A WALL OF STEEL,' and there is nothing Iran can do about it."
Trump further maintained that Tehran's military infrastructure had been severely degraded, concluding his message with the phrase, "Praise be to Allah!"
"All they have is FAKE NEWS and 300% INFLATION, and getting worse! Iran is all talk and no action, the Bully of the Middle East No Longer. Praise be to Allah! President DONALD J. TRUMP," he added in the social media post.
The US President's remarks follow an extended confrontation over the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime passage through which nearly 20 per cent of global petroleum trade passes.
The latest escalation comes after weeks of military exchanges involving Iranian, Israeli, and US forces across the region. The hostilities have intensified apprehensions regarding a wider regional confrontation, accompanied by repeated warnings from Tehran that maritime traffic could be restricted or disrupted if external pressure on Iran continues to mount.
In response, Washington has deployed a significant naval presence across the Gulf, reaffirming that guaranteeing freedom of navigation remains a primary security goal.
Trump's statements coincided with ongoing behind-the-scenes diplomatic engagement. Representatives from Washington and Tehran have been involved in indirect discussions regarding terms to alleviate the Hormuz crisis and resume regular maritime traffic.
Tehran has reportedly demanded compensation for war-related damages in response to the US war launched by Trump on February 28 and sanctions-linked economic losses, a condition that Trump has publicly dismissed.
Simultaneously, the Trump administration has stepped up economic measures against Tehran, enforcing existing sanctions and cautioning that further punitive actions remain on the table should Iran refuse to comply.
Iranian representatives have accused Washington of employing military posture and economic pressure to extract unilateral concessions during negotiations.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most sensitive geopolitical chokepoints, where past military standoffs have routinely triggered spikes in international crude prices and fears of broader conflict. The current escalation has already prompted expanded naval patrols, adjustments to shipping routes by commercial carriers, and renewed international calls for diplomatic restraint.
Commercial shipping through the vital corridor currently continues under tight security oversight, though the environment remains highly volatile. Immediate diplomatic attention remains centred on whether negotiations can yield a temporary truce to mitigate the likelihood of armed conflict while keeping maritime trade routes open.
Trump's stern rhetoric highlights that despite ongoing diplomatic exchanges, the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz remains intrinsically linked to the broader conflict with Iran and the wider contest for regional influence across the Middle East.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone who follows geopolitics closely, this "wall of steel" talk feels more like bravado than strategy. The Strait of Hormuz isn't just about military presence - Iran has shown time and again they can use asymmetric tactics. With 20% of global oil passing through there, India has huge stakes. We're already dealing with high fuel prices; we don't need another Gulf crisis. I wish both sides would just sit down and talk instead of escalating like this.
Typical American arrogance - thinking they can dictate terms in someone else's backyard. But let me tell you, Iran isn't Iraq or Afghanistan. The US has been stuck in the Middle East for decades and learned nothing. As Indians, we've maintained good relations with both Iran and the US, and we know the value of diplomacy over force. Trump's "nothing Iran can do" attitude is exactly the kind of provocation that leads to miscalculation and conflict. The Gulf is a powder keg, and playing with matches is dangerous.
As someone who grew up in the US but has family in India, I see this differently. Trump's statement is clearly aimed at domestic politics - projecting strength before an election. But the reality is that "total control" of any waterway is never absolute. The Iranians have played this game for centuries. What worries me is the impact on global oil prices. My relatives in India are already struggling with inflation, and this kind of sabre-rattling only makes things worse for ordinary people everywhere. We need de-escalation, not chest-thumping.
I have to admit, there's a part of me that respects the straightforwardness of Trump's messaging - he says what he thinks, no diplomatic fluff. But calling it a "wall of steel" while simultaneously saying "Praise be to Allah" is just confusing. 😅 What really matters for India is that our oil supply lines stay open. We need the
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