2 weeks ago
US Threatens Indefinite Iran Blockade Amid Hormuz Tanker Attacks
Two countries, the United States and Iran, are having a very big disagreement.
The United States has put navy ships in the water to block other ships from coming and going near Iran.
The leader of the United States says they have total control of an important waterway called the Strait of Hormuz, where many ships carry oil.
Iran says that is not true and that the waterway is under their control.
Some ships from a company in the United Arab Emirates were attacked while sailing through the waterway, and the UAE says Iran did it.
Because of all this, people are worried that getting oil will be harder, and the price of oil has gone up.
The United States says it can keep the blockade going for a very long time by sending new ships to take turns.
The two sides are also trying to have peace talks, but those talks have stopped for now.
Everyone hopes the countries can solve their problem without a big war.
Oil is very important because it powers cars, planes, and many machines people use every day.
The United States threatened to maintain its naval blockade of Iran indefinitely as ceasefire talks remain stalled.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Navy could sustain the blockade by rotating ships in and out of the region.
Iran rejected President Trump's claim of 'total control' of the Strait of Hormuz, calling it 'lies and fabrications.'
The UAE accused Iran of attacking two vessels operated by state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company while transiting the strait.
Brent crude settled at $87.07 a barrel on Thursday as supply disruptions and weaker global demand added to oil market uncertainty.
- Who
- The United States and Iran — including US President Donald Trump, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari — along with the UAE.
- What
- The US threatened an indefinite naval blockade of Iran amid stalled ceasefire talks, Iran rejected the US claim of control over the Strait of Hormuz, and the UAE accused Iran of attacking two of its oil company's vessels.
- Where
- The Strait of Hormuz and the surrounding region.
- When
- Article updated August 14, 2026; Brent crude settled on Thursday.
- Why
- Tensions over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz have risen and ceasefire talks remain stalled.
US Position
Iranian Position
Control of the Strait of Hormuz
US Position
President Trump claims the US has 'total control' of the strait.
Iranian Position
Military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari calls the claim 'lies and fabrications' and says the waterway remains under Iranian control.
Naval Blockade
US Position
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says the US Navy can maintain the blockade indefinitely by rotating ships in and out.
Iranian Position
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accuses Washington of making an 'even bigger miscalculation' and warns 'fake intelligence' could lead to dangerous decisions.
Key facts
- US President
- Donald Trump
- US Defence Secretary
- Pete Hegseth
- Iranian Foreign Minister
- Abbas Araghchi
- Iranian Military Spokesman
- Ebrahim Zolfaghari
- Targeted Vessels
- Two tankers operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
- Brent Crude Price (Thursday)
- $87.07 per barrel
- Ceasefire Talks
- Stalled
- Report Date
- August 14, 2026
Quotes
Ebrahim Zolfaghari
Iranian military spokesman
“We have warned that Washington’s actions could lead to an even bigger miscalculation, and that fake intelligence could cause dangerous decisions.”
news18.com
“The claim is “lies and fabrications,” saying the waterway remained under Iranian control.”
news18.com
Pete Hegseth
US Defence Secretary
“Indefinitely the United States Navy can maintain a blockade like that because we’ll rotate ships in and out, as we have, and we’ll continue to.”
news18.com







