Iran Rejects Trump Claims Over Control of Strait of Hormuz
Iran has rejected claims by U.S.
The dispute centers on the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint between Iran and Oman that serves as one of the most important maritime routes for the global transport of oil and gas. For global markets, any disruption here triggers immediate volatility in energy pricing and shipping insurance.
Tehran Denounces Trump’s Territorial Claims
Trump linked this move to the outcome of a current military offensive, claiming that Iran is being defeated and that no vessel can pass without U.S. permission, according to Infobae.
Iran responded swiftly. Kazem Gharibabadi, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, posted on X that the strait cannot be conquered “with a tweet or with aircraft carriers, nor through the issuance of an order or an electoral speech.” Gharibabadi asserted that the waterway has been, is, and will remain Iranian, adding that it will only open or close under Tehran’s orders.
The Iranian military has characterized Trump’s claims of “total control” as fabrications. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s central military command, stated in a state television broadcast that U.S. assertions regarding the normal flow of ships are lies. Zolfaghari maintained that no commercial or oil tanker can pass safely without the permission and supervision of the Iranian armed forces, according to Euronews.
Naval Escalation and the “Wall of Steel”
While diplomats clash, the physical presence of the U.S. Navy in the region is shifting. The USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been stationed in the area since 2025, is scheduled to be replaced by the USS George Washington in the coming days, Infobae reports. U.S.
Trump described the U.S. naval blockade on Truth Social as a “wall of steel,” claiming that Iran is powerless to stop it. Conversely, Iran’s military leadership, including Hossein Taeb, head of the Basij paramilitary forces, insists that the Republic Islamic of Iran maintains management of the passage. This contradiction highlights a dangerous gap between political rhetoric and the tactical reality on the water.
The Oman Alternative and Diplomatic Deadlocks
Amid the tension, Iran is pursuing a strategic pivot to reduce its reliance on the contested strait. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Tehran is in talks with Oman to establish a shared management system for the strait and the creation of an alternative navigation route. Araghchi noted that these negotiations are entirely separate from the stalled dialogue with the United States, according to Infobae.
These talks are being facilitated by mediators from Qatar and Pakistan. While a joint declaration between Iran and Oman covering technical, legal, and security aspects is reportedly in preparation, the outcome remains uncertain. Iranian officials have indicated that the full reopening of the strait depends on the U.S. ending its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
The stakes are further complicated by specific bans. Member of the national security commission Behnam Saeedi told state television that ships belonging to the “Zionist regime” (Israel) will be denied entry to the strait under any circumstances, whether in peace or war. He added that U.S. military vessels would similarly be blocked from crossing.
Economic and Geopolitical Implications
The Strait of Hormuz is not merely a local territorial dispute; it is a global economic lever. Because a significant portion of the world’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) and crude oil passes through this corridor, the threat of closure impacts everything from fuel prices in Europe to manufacturing costs in Asia. The International Energy Agency frequently monitors these disruptions due to their systemic risk to global energy security.
The current standoff mirrors historical patterns of “maximum pressure” campaigns, but the 2026 escalation is marked by a direct challenge to sovereignty. By claiming the strait as U.S. territory, the Trump administration is moving beyond sanctions into the realm of territorial annexation, a move that most international legal scholars view as a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
As the USS George Washington takes its position, the window for a diplomatic resolution narrows. The conflict has evolved from a trade war into a direct confrontation over the physical control of the world’s most vital energy artery.
The resolution of this crisis will likely not be found in a tweet or a naval deployment, but in whether the alternative route with Oman can provide a viable bypass to the “wall of steel” and the Iranian blockade. If diplomacy fails, the world faces a period of unprecedented energy instability anchored in a narrow strip of water.