US President Donald Trump on Monday, 13 July declared that the United States would take control of the Strait of Hormuz and assume permanent oversight of the critical shipping lane, accusing Iran of violating a military agreement and continuing to deploy drones into the waterway. The announcement marks a dramatic escalation in Washington's posture toward Tehran over one of the world's most consequential energy corridors.

Trump's Remarks on Seizing the Strait

Speaking in a Fox News interview, Trump was unequivocal about Washington's intentions. 'We're taking over the Strait. They have nothing. They've got nothing,' he said. The president added that the US had struck Iranian military assets overnight and would continue to respond with force to any new drone activity. 'We hit them very hard last night. Every time they send a drone, we hit them very hard,' Trump said, claiming that much of Iran's air-defence equipment had been destroyed in the strikes.

The Collapsed Deal and Iran's Negotiating Tactics

Trump alleged that Washington and Tehran had reached what he described as a completed agreement before Iran sought revisions after an 11-hour negotiating session. 'We had a deal. It was a done deal. And then they broke it,' he said. He claimed Iranian negotiators initially agreed to all terms under discussion before calling back to request changes — a pattern he attributed to professional delay tactics. 'Always changes,' Trump said. 'You know, they're professional negotiators. That's all they are.' He did not disclose the specific terms of the alleged agreement.

Permanent US Control and Reimbursement Demand

Trump said the United States would now retain control of the Strait indefinitely and could formalise a permanent security role. 'We're just going to hit them very hard. And we're going to keep the Strait, and we'll probably run it,' he said. 'We'll become the guardian of the Strait. Maybe we'll call it the guardian angel of the Strait.' He further argued that nations benefiting from safe passage through the waterway should financially compensate Washington. 'Now we're going to guard it, and we're going to get paid for guarding it,' Trump said, contending that the US had protected the corridor for decades without receiving payment.

Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters

The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, making it one of the most strategically vital energy chokepoints on the planet. It carries a substantial share of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports from major Gulf producers to international markets, including India and other Asian economies. Any sustained disruption to navigation through the Strait would have immediate consequences for global energy prices and supply chains. This comes amid a broader deterioration in US-Iran relations, with drone incidents in the waterway having escalated in recent weeks.

What Happens Next

Trump's remarks raise significant questions about the legal and diplomatic framework under which the US would assert control over an international shipping lane. No formal announcement of a military operation or treaty has been made public. Regional powers, including Gulf Cooperation Council states and India — both major users of the Strait — are expected to monitor developments closely. Analysts warn that any attempt to formalise US control could draw sharp responses from Iran, China, and other stakeholders with interests in the waterway's international status.