Trump Claims US Controls Strait of Hormuz
A projectile hit a ship leaving the Strait of Hormuz. This happened on August 18, 2026.
Shipping data showed only 95 confirmed crossings last week. Three of those crossings happened on Sunday.
Few ships are attempting the crossing. Ships crossing the strait keep coming under attack.
President Trump said no talks with Iran are happening or scheduled. This came amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Trump claimed the Strait of Hormuz was "open and operating." He said the United States controls the waterway instead of Iran. His claims contradicted Iranian reports about the strait's status.
An Iranian official said the waterway will stay closed. It will not reopen until the US meets Iran's demands.
Oman is reportedly working on a deal to manage ship traffic there. The dispute follows the end of a 60-day US-Iran negotiating period. That conflict has sharply reduced shipping through the strait.
Key Terms 2
- Strait of Hormuz A narrow sea passage between Iran and Oman used for oil shipping.
- Middle East conflict Ongoing tension and fighting involving Iran and nearby countries.