According to a report by The Vanguard on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, President Donald Trump has asserted that the United States has seized absolute control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint for global energy shipping, and vows to maintain its grip on the waterway.

Taking to his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, Trump boasted about the efficiency of the American military deployment in the Middle East.

“The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!” Trump declared. He further described the American deployment as a “wall of steel,” mocking Iranian forces by adding that “there is nothing Iran can do about it.”

The waterway has become the primary battleground in a six-month war initiated by the Trump administration on February 28, aimed at forcing regime change and dismantling Tehran’s nuclear program.

Despite heavy US and Israeli bombardment hitting Iranian leadership, Tehran has crippled global trade by striking commercial shipping lanes.

In retaliation to the conflict, Iran announced plans to enforce a toll system, claiming it still holds effective authority over the region.

However, Trump dismissed Iran’s territorial claims when addressing reporters late Tuesday. “We have total control over the Hormuz Strait right now. They don’t have control. We have total control. We own it,” he stated.

With his domestic political popularity declining ahead of the upcoming November midterm congressional elections, Trump has shifted from an aggressive military escalation to a “low-keying” strategy focused on blockading Iranian ports.

Explaining the current diplomatic standoff, Trump revealed the US is keeping economic pressure on Tehran.

“We are only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money,” Trump stated.

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