Iran has again rejected Donald Trump’s claims that the US has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, with its Persian Gulf Strait Authority stating that “the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked” and will not be opened until Iran’s conditions are accepted, reports BritPanorama.
The Iranian authority emphasized that “the successive claims and tweets by American officials about lifting the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz do not change reality,” according to a statement on X.
Trump earlier contended that “praise be to Allah,” his administration has “total control over the Strait of Hormuz,” and expressed confidence about maintaining that status, saying, “I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!”
Yet, amid these conflicting assertions, shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted, with data from trade intelligence firm Kpler indicating that only 13 vessels transited the waterway on Tuesday—a staggering 90% drop from the daily average of 130 prior to the US and Israel’s military actions against Iran on 28 February.
Tehran has effectively closed the strait under the threat of military action since the US and Israel’s offensive earlier this year. Recently, Iran and Oman have been engaged in discussions about a mechanism to reopen the strait under a regime that would increase Iran’s leverage, while US efforts to negotiate an end to the ongoing conflicts remain stalled.
The closure of the vital waterway raises significant concerns regarding global oil supply and regional stability, pressures which are compounded by Trump’s stance of seeking compensation from Iran for historical grievances stemming from prolonged conflicts in the region.
In a broader context, these developments reflect escalating tensions in the Gulf, with both nations ramping up their rhetoric amidst a backdrop of strained diplomatic relations. Iran’s top security official, Mohsen Rezaei, reiterated on Tuesday that the Strait will remain off-limits until the US accedes to Iran’s stipulations for resolving the current hostilities.
This situation accentuates the geopolitical complexities of the region, illustrating not only the fragility of maritime routes but also the intricate interplay of power and diplomacy that characterizes US-Iran relations today—an ongoing standoff with potential ramifications for international trade and security.
