Donald Trump Says US Has ‘Almost Total Control’ of Strait of Hormuz, Calls Iran Economy ‘Totally Collapsing’
Trump claims the US has 'almost total control' of the Strait of Hormuz and says Iran’s economy is 'totally collapsing' as fresh US strikes trigger Iranian retaliation. Tehran rejects Washington’s claims over the strategic waterway. With oil exports disrupted and attacks continuing, tensions remain high and prospects for renewed talks appear uncertain.
US President Donald Trump has claimed that Washington now has “almost total control” of the Strait of Hormuz and that Iran’s economy is “totally collapsing”, as tensions between the two countries escalate amid an intensifying exchange of strikes. Trump made the remarks after the US launched a fresh wave of airstrikes against Iranian targets, while Tehran responded with attacks on US assets and bases in the region.
In a post on Truth Social, that came just hours after the US launched a fresh wave of airstrikes against Iran, Trump dismissed a report by ABC News that he was trying to force Tehran back to the negotiating table, saying he was not interested in pushing Iran into an agreement. US Strikes Iran for Second Time in 2 Days As Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate.
Donald Trump Says US Has ‘Almost Total Control’ of Strait of Hormuz
“I’m not trying to force Iran to the bargaining table, as ABC Fake News reported. I couldn’t care less if they sign a worthless, to them, agreement,” the President said, adding that he preferred the current situation, with what he described as “almost total control of the Hormuz Strait” and an Iranian economy that was “totally collapsing”.
“They are just playing out the inevitable." Trump then directly called on the Iranian population to challenge the government. “When are the Iranian people going to rise up and fight?” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian Says Iran Would Return to Ceasefire Agreement if US Does.
Donald Trump Reasserts Claims Of Hormuz Strait Control
Since the conflict erupted in February, Trump has claimed multiple times that the US has established control over Hormuz. Tehran, however, has rejected Washington’s assertions and maintained that the strategic waterway remains under Iranian control.
Recent reporting indicates that the US has gained a significant operational advantage around the strait, while commercial shipping remains heavily disrupted. The US has also escalated its response against Iranian maritime assets, including strikes on Iranian government tankers.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy shipping routes, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. Disruption there has reduced oil flows and contributed to concerns about energy markets. Reuters reported that Iranian crude loadings had fallen sharply as a US naval blockade restricted exports.
Fresh US Strikes Prompt Iranian Retaliation
Trump’s remarks came after the US launched a barrage of airstrikes against Iranian targets on Tuesday, triggering retaliation from Tehran against US assets and bases in Jordan, Bahrain and Iraq.
The latest US strikes targeted Iranian military and maritime assets, including air defense systems and radar stations, according to US officials. Iran responded with missiles and drones against regional targets, while the two sides continued to exchange threats of further escalation.
The latest escalation has further intensified the standoff over Hormuz, a critical global energy route that Iran has effectively closed to shipping. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the US strikes would “tighten the lock” on the strategic waterway.
Iranian officials have warned that if Tehran is prevented from exporting oil through the Gulf, no other country would be able to do so either. The situation has also affected commercial shipping. Two Saudi oil tankers were attacked by projectiles near Khasab, Oman, on Monday while transiting the region, although no casualties were reported.
Donald Trump Rules Out Immediate Agreement
Trump, meanwhile, has rejected the prospect of another ceasefire, saying an agreement with Tehran “isn't worth the paper it's written on” and that Iran had already been given enough chances.
His comments came as the possibility of renewed negotiations appeared increasingly uncertain. The latest confrontation follows months of heightened tensions and a previous deal reached in June that quickly broke down, with control of Hormuz emerging as one of the central sticking points.
Recent reporting has indicated that Iran has faced growing economic pressure as its oil exports have been sharply reduced. Reuters reported that Iranian crude loadings fell from around 2 million barrels per day in March to roughly 2,20,000-2,55,000 barrels per day in August, placing additional pressure on Tehran’s finances.
Hormuz Remains Central To The Conflict
The dispute over the Strait of Hormuz has become a central element of the wider US-Iran conflict. The waterway is a major route for global oil shipments, making continued disruption a concern for energy markets and countries dependent on Gulf supplies.
Washington says its military operations have significantly reduced Iran’s ability to control or disrupt shipping in the strait. Iran disputes that assessment and continues to assert its authority over the waterway.
The conflicting claims come as US forces continue operations in and around the strait and Iran threatens further retaliation. The latest strikes and attacks on shipping have raised the risk that the confrontation could expand further across the Gulf and the wider Middle East.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 02, 2026 07:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).