Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Iran, US Clash Over Control of Strait of Hormuz
There is a narrow sea passage called the Strait of Hormuz where ships carry oil and gas to countries around the world.
Iran and the United States both say they are in charge of it.
Hossein Taeb, the leader of Iran's Basij force, said the strait is under Iran's control and management.
US President Donald Trump said the US has total control and plans to keep it, calling the US naval blockade a "wall of steel."
Before the war, about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas traveled through this strait.
Iran closed the waterway after US and Israeli strikes started a war on February 28.
Iran and the US made a deal in June to restore free navigation, but it broke down when both sides accused each other of breaking it.
Iran now says it will only reopen the strait if the US meets its demands.
Iran is also talking with Oman about a new route and plans to charge ships a toll.
Iran warns it will fight more strongly and more offensively if another war happens.
Hossein Taeb, head of Iran's Basij paramilitary force, said on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz is "under the management and control of the Islamic Republic."
Taeb's remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that "The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!"
Trump called the US naval blockade a "wall of steel" and said Iran has no navy, no air force, and unpaid soldiers.
Iran has effectively closed the strait — which previously carried about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas — since the war began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
A June interim ceasefire deal broke down, and Iran says it will not reopen the waterway unless the US meets its obligations, while planning a toll system and discussing a possible new route with Oman.
- Who
- Iranian officials — including Hossein Taeb, head of the Basij paramilitary force affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guards; Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi; and officials Rasoul Sanaei-Rad and Mohammad Mokhber — and US President Donald Trump
- What
- Iran and the US each claimed control of the Strait of Hormuz; Iran has effectively closed the waterway and rejected Trump's "total control" claim
- When
- Thursday, August 13, 2026, a day after Trump's Truth Social post; the war began on February 28, 2026
- Where
- The Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway between Iran and Oman; remarks reported by Iran's Fars news agency and state television
- Why
- The rival claims follow the war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran and the collapse of a June interim ceasefire deal over reopening the strait
Iran's Stance
US Stance
Control of the Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Stance
Basij chief Hossein Taeb says the strait is "under the management and control of the Islamic Republic" and Iran continues on its path in complete security.
US Stance
President Donald Trump says the US has "total control" over the strait, intends to keep it, and that there is "nothing Iran can do about it."
Naval blockade and closure of the waterway
Iran's Stance
Iran effectively closed the strait after the war began, has barred US and Israeli ships, plans to impose a toll system, and says no vessel can pass without Tehran's permission.
US Stance
The US imposed a naval blockade targeting Iranian shipping and ports — which Trump calls a "wall of steel" — while saying it will safeguard freedom of navigation for vessels going to and from ports outside Iran.
Reopening the waterway
Iran's Stance
Iran will not reopen the strait until the other side meets its obligations under the interim agreement, demands compensation for war damage and sanctions-related losses, and warns it will stand "more firmly and more offensively" in any future war.
US Stance
Trump has rejected Iran's compensation demands and escalated economic pressure on Tehran by enforcing sanctions, warning that further punitive measures could follow if Iran refuses to comply.
- Iran's claim
- Strait of Hormuz is "under the management and control of the Islamic Republic"
- Claim by
- Hossein Taeb, head of Iran's Basij paramilitary force, on Thursday, August 13, 2026
- US counterclaim
- President Donald Trump: "The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!"
- US blockade
- Trump called the naval blockade a "wall of steel"; US says it will safeguard freedom of navigation for vessels using non-Iranian ports
- Strait status
- Effectively closed by Iran since the war began; previously carried about one-fifth of the world's oil and LNG shipments
- War start
- US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026
- Ceasefire deal
- June interim agreement broke down weeks later; Iran resumed limited attacks on vessels and the US restarted strikes on Iran's southern provinces
- Reopening conditions
- Iran demands the US meet its obligations under the interim deal plus compensation for war damage and sanctions losses; toll system planned and Iran-Oman talks on a new route ongoing
Sources
‘Under Our Control’: Iran Counters Donald Trump’s ‘Wall Of Steel’ Claim On Strait Of Hormuz
‘Hormuz Under Our Control’: Iran Rejects Trump’s ‘Total Control’ Claim
Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Is Under Its Control: Report
Iran Says Strait of Hormuz is Under its Control: Report
Who controls the Strait of Hormuz? US says Washington, Iran says Tehran
