Trump Claims Control Over Hormuz Amid Growing Standoff

Published: 24 April 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

President Donald Trump recently asserted that the United States currently maintains total control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. His bold declaration arrived alongside his observation that Iranian leadership is currently suffering from intense internal power struggles. This uncertainty regarding exactly who holds authority in Tehran has further complicated the ongoing geopolitical situation in the region. However, the president’s claim faced immediate skepticism following the reported seizure of two container ships by Iranian commandos. Furthermore, a Pentagon assessment suggests that clearing the waterway of dangerous sea mines could take up to six months. Trump’s remarks on Thursday followed a distinct military operation where United States special forces boarded a stateless tanker. The Pentagon claimed that this specific vessel was carrying Iranian crude oil through the Indian Ocean waters.

This military engagement occurred only hours after Iran seized two commercial container ships, ensuring the region remains extremely volatile. Both involved sides continue to enforce competing blockades across the narrow strait, which maintains global oil prices at high levels. Current market estimates place the cost of oil at approximately one hundred dollars for every single barrel produced. While American naval forces have successfully intercepted several vessels leaving Iranian ports, they have yet to fully reopen the strait. The capacity to secure safe passage for ships coming from allied Gulf states remains a difficult and unresolved operational challenge. The impact of these dual blockades is significantly worsened by the presence of numerous sea mines scattered throughout the area. A recent briefing provided to Congress highlighted that the Pentagon expects a long process to clear these maritime routes.

According to reports from the Washington Post, officials believe that roughly twenty mines were placed throughout the vital shipping channel. Some of these devices were deployed by small boats, while others were maneuvered into place using sophisticated remote control technology. This variety of deployment methods makes locating and neutralizing these threats an incredibly time-consuming and dangerous task for naval crews. The warning issued by the Pentagon suggests that the economic fallout from this conflict will likely persist for quite some time. Even if a formal peace deal is reached soon, the threat to global shipping will continue for many months ahead. A spokesperson for the Pentagon later described the report as inaccurate, though they failed to provide any specific evidence or counterarguments.

In a recent post on Truth Social, President Trump stated that American minesweepers are working at a tripled capacity level today. He also announced that he had ordered the United States navy to shoot and kill any boat attempting to lay mines. The president emphasized there is to be no hesitation in taking such lethal action against these perceived threats to security. Fatih Birol, who serves as the head of the International Energy Agency, described the current crisis as a historic energy threat. Meanwhile, on Thursday night, Trump informed reporters that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire by three weeks. This development followed high-level negotiations held at the White House, although Hezbollah did not participate directly in these important diplomatic talks.

Bouts of fighting have unfortunately continued throughout the most recent truce, casting doubt on the long-term stability of the region. On Wednesday, a notable Israeli strike resulted in the death of Amal Khalil, a respected Lebanese journalist working in southern territory. When asked separately about his willingness to wait for a peace deal with Iran, Trump simply told the reporters not to rush. He claimed that the Iranian navy and air force had been effectively destroyed during the initial stages of the regional conflict. Trump added that if the Iranians had rearmed during the recent hiatus, the United States could easily neutralize that threat quickly. The president expressed his desire to craft a deal that is not just temporary, but one that is truly everlasting.

Iran has refused to attend the planned peace talks in Pakistan, a snub that Trump attributed to confusion regarding their strategy. The regime in Tehran stated it would not participate while the United States continues to violate the ceasefire through a naval blockade. Trump agreed to an indefinite extension of the truce on Tuesday, yet he maintains that the United States holds a firm grip. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical narrow channel connecting the Gulf to the Indian Ocean, through which a vast portion of energy flows. Trump declared on Truth Social that no ship can enter or leave the waterway without approval from the United States navy. He characterized the strait as being sealed up tight until such time as Iran agrees to a comprehensive final deal.

The president argued that he extended the truce to give different Iranian factions the necessary time to agree on a position. He claimed there was significant disarray among their leadership, specifically mentioning a rift between hardliners and moderate elements within the government hierarchy. Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, appears to possess less absolute power than his father, Ali, who was killed earlier this year. Reports indicate that Mojtaba Khamenei was also seriously wounded during the initial United States and Israeli joint attack in late February. Sources citing senior Iranian officials claim that despite severe injuries, including facial burns and restricted speech, he remains mentally sharp and engaged. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps appears to wield greater influence within the collective leadership, potentially steering the regime toward a more hawkish position.

The naval command of the guard stated that the detained vessels had endangered maritime security by operating without the required international permits. They also accused the ships of tampering with navigation systems, suggesting that transponders had been intentionally deactivated during their transit through waters. Regional reports indicate these container ships were part of a larger convoy attempting to exit the Gulf after being trapped by the war. Iran released footage on Thursday showing commandos pulling alongside the vessels and climbing on board using ropes to secure the ships. On the same day, the United States released its own footage showing special forces descending from helicopters onto a different vessel deck. This cycle of events illustrates a growing propaganda war running parallel to the physical conflict taking place on the open sea. The closure of the strait places immense pressure on the Iranian economy, but it also creates political risks for President Trump. Increasing global prices for oil and petrochemicals could negatively impact public opinion during the upcoming United States midterm elections this November.

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