Trump claims US has 'total control' of Strait of Hormuz
Synopsis
Trump’s Truth Social post on 12 August goes well beyond standard deterrence rhetoric — he is claiming outright control of one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints and declaring Iran militarily and economically broken. With no evidence cited and no Iranian response yet, the gap between the assertion and verifiable reality is the story.
Key Takeaways
President Donald Trump declared on 12 August that the US holds ‘total control’ over the Strait of Hormuz .
Trump described the US naval presence as a ‘Wall of Steel,’ claiming Iran is powerless to challenge it.
He alleged Iran’s military is decimated, its soldiers unpaid, and the IRGC is ‘fleeing.’ Trump cited 300% inflation as evidence of Iran’s economic collapse — claims offered without independent verification.
No operational details about the blockade’s scope, duration, or exit conditions were provided.
There was no immediate formal response from Tehran at the time of the post.
US President Donald Trump on 12 August declared that the United States holds “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, asserting in a Truth Social post that Washington intends to maintain its grip on the strategically vital waterway. The statement marks one of Trump’s sharpest public escalations against Iran in recent weeks.
Trump’s Claims on the Naval Blockade
Trump described an ongoing US naval blockade in sweeping terms, branding it a formidable show of force. “Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, ‘A WALL OF STEEL,’ and there is nothing Iran can do about it,” he wrote. He offered no operational details about the blockade’s scope, duration, or the conditions under which it might be lifted.
The President also did not specify which naval assets are involved or provide independent verification of the blockade’s effectiveness. No information about casualties, naval encounters, or disruptions to commercial shipping through the Strait was included in the post.
Sweeping Claims About Iran’s Military and Economy
Trump used the post to portray Iran’s military and political establishment as severely degraded. “They have no Navy, they have no Air Force, their remaining soldiers are unpaid, the IRGC is decimated and fleeing, and their ‘Leadership’ is uncertain, at best!” he said. He offered no evidence to support these assertions and did not identify the Iranian officials whose positions he described as unstable.
On the economic front, Trump claimed Iran was facing a deep financial crisis, citing what he described as a lack of funds and 300% inflation. “They have No Money — Their country is ‘shot.’ All they have is FAKE NEWS and 300% INFLATION, and getting worse!” he wrote. These figures were not independently verified in the post.
Rhetoric on Regional Influence
Trump further declared that Iran had forfeited its standing as a regional power. “Iran is all talk and no action, the Bully of the Middle East No Longer,” he said. He ended the message with the words: “Praise be to Allah! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The post did not elaborate on what prompted the timing of the statement, nor did it reference any specific recent incident in the Strait of Hormuz. There was no immediate response from Tehran included in available reports.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most critical chokepoints for global oil supply. Roughly 20% of the world’s traded oil passes through it daily, making any disruption a significant concern for global energy markets. Iran has historically threatened to close the Strait in response to US sanctions or military pressure, though it has never done so.
This comes amid an already fraught period in US–Iran relations, with Washington maintaining economic pressure on Tehran through sanctions while deploying naval assets in the broader Persian Gulf region. How Iran formally responds — and whether the blockade claim holds up to independent scrutiny — will be closely watched in the days ahead.
Point of View
No allied confirmation, no independent assessment of Iran’s military condition. Claiming ‘total control’ of the Strait of Hormuz is a significant geopolitical assertion that, if accurate, would represent a historic shift in Gulf security architecture; if overstated, it risks credibility at a moment when US deterrence posture is under global scrutiny. The 300% inflation figure and claims of a decimated IRGC are unattributed. What mainstream coverage may underweight is the absence of any allied corroboration — Gulf states and European partners have said nothing publicly to validate the blockade’s scale. Tehran’s silence, too, is data.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Trump say about the Strait of Hormuz?
President Donald Trump declared on 12 August that the United States has ‘total control’ over the Strait of Hormuz and intends to keep it, describing the US naval presence as a ‘Wall of Steel’ that Iran cannot challenge. The statement was made in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Is there a US naval blockade at the Strait of Hormuz?
Trump referred to an ongoing ‘naval blockade’ in his post, but provided no operational details — no information on which assets are involved, its geographic scope, or how long it will last. No independent confirmation of a formal blockade was included in available reports.
What claims did Trump make about Iran’s military?
Trump claimed Iran has no functioning navy or air force, that its soldiers are unpaid, and that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is ‘decimated and fleeing.’ He offered no evidence for these assertions and did not name the Iranian leaders he described as facing uncertain positions.
Why is the Strait of Hormuz strategically important?
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman through which roughly 20% of the world’s traded oil passes daily. Any disruption to shipping there has immediate consequences for global energy prices. Iran has historically threatened to close the Strait during periods of heightened tension with the United States.
Has Iran responded to Trump’s claims?
No immediate response from Tehran was available at the time of Trump’s post. Iran has in the past dismissed similar US assertions, but no official statement had been issued in response to this specific Truth Social post.
