Archive · 13 Aug 2026
US, Iran Clash Over Control of Strait of Hormuz
The United States and Iran are having a big fight that started on February 28.
By August 13, the fight had been going on for 167 days.
Part of the fight is about a narrow waterway called the Strait of Hormuz.
Many ships carry oil through this waterway to countries all over the world.
Iran closed the waterway early in the fight.
The United States then put a naval blockade around it.
The American military says it has turned away 59 ships and stopped others.
President Donald Trump said the United States has total control of the waterway.
Iran says that is not true and the waterway is still closed.
Iran says it will only open it if its conditions are accepted.
The US-Iran war, which began on February 28, reached its 167th day on August 13 with no credible agreement to end the conflict.
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz early in the war, and the US responded by imposing a naval blockade of the waterway.
CENTCOM said US forces have redirected 59 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two others to enforce the blockade as of August 12.
President Donald Trump claimed the US has "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz, calling the blockade "A WALL OF STEEL."
Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority rejected the claim, saying the Strait remains blocked and will not reopen until Iran's conditions are accepted.
- Who
- The United States and Iran, including President Donald Trump, US Central Command (CENTCOM), and Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority
- What
- The two sides traded conflicting claims over control of the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing war and the US naval blockade
- When
- Wednesday, August 13, the 167th day of the war; CENTCOM blockade figures reported as of August 12
- Where
- The Strait of Hormuz and regional waters in the Middle East
- Why
- Iran closed the strategic oil waterway early in the war and refuses to reopen it until its conditions are accepted, while the US enforces a naval blockade
United States
Iran
Control of the Strait of Hormuz
United States
Trump says the US has "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz and will keep it, pointing to its naval blockade that is called "A WALL OF STEEL."
Iran
Iran says such claims do not change reality: the Strait remains blocked and will not reopen until Iran's conditions are accepted.
Reopening the Strait
United States
The US wants the strategic waterway reopened, with negotiations stalled and CENTCOM enforcing full compliance with the blockade.
Iran
Iran will only reopen the Strait when its stated conditions are accepted, and rejects US statements that it is no longer blocked.
- Conflict
- US-Iran War
- War start date
- February 28
- Day of conflict
- 167th day (August 13)
- Oil shipments through Strait of Hormuz
- Around one-fifth of the world's crude oil shipments
- US blockade actions (as of Aug 12)
- 59 vessels redirected, 3 disabled, 2 boarded
- US aircraft carrier involved
- USS George HW Bush (CVN 77)
- US claim
- Total control over the Strait of Hormuz
- Iran's response
- Strait remains blocked until Iran's conditions are accepted