US President Donald Trump has asserted that the United States maintains “total control” over the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions with Iran. The strait, a vital chokepoint for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, has become a focal point of conflict as both nations enforce competing blockades affecting the flow of energy supplies worldwide.

Trump’s remarks came following the seizure of two container ships by Iranian forces— the Greek-owned Epaminondas and the Panamanian-flagged MSC Francesca— which Tehran claimed were operating without proper permits and had disabled their location transponders. Iran released footage showing commandos boarding one of the vessels. In response, US special forces boarded a stateless oil tanker in the Indian Ocean, alleging it carried Iranian crude oil. The Pentagon also posted video of a helicopter raid on the tanker. These actions underscore the ongoing naval struggle over control of maritime traffic in the region.

Despite Trump’s declaration that no vessel can enter or leave the strait without US approval, analysts and military officials question the extent of American control. A recent Pentagon briefing warned that it could take up to six months to clear suspected mines—approximately 20—that have been placed in the strait, either directly by small boats or via remote means. The presence of these mines complicates navigation and increases the risk to shipping. While US forces have successfully intercepted ships departing Iranian ports, their ability to guarantee passage for vessels arriving from allied Gulf states remains unproven.

Trump has ordered the US Navy to use lethal force against boats laying mines and claimed US minesweeping efforts have been intensified. However, a Pentagon spokesperson disputed some reported details of the mine threat without clarifying which specifics were inaccurate.

The situation has drawn international concern, with the head of the International Energy Agency describing it as the “biggest energy security threat in history.” The United Kingdom has offered support by proposing to deploy RAF Typhoon jets based in Qatar to patrol the strait along with mine-hunting drones and specialist divers as part of a potential multinational mission aimed at securing the waterway once hostilities cease. This offer was discussed during a two-day meeting at a UK military headquarters attended by representatives from around 30 countries, organized jointly by Britain and France. However, some of these countries have expressed unwillingness to carry out military action to forcibly open the strait without a peace agreement, preferring instead to protect commercial shipping from lower-level threats after a sustainable ceasefire.

Negotiations have stalled, with Iran refusing to attend peace talks held in Pakistan, citing ongoing US military actions as incompatible with diplomacy. Trump attributed Tehran’s absence to internal divisions between “hardliners” and “moderates” within the Iranian leadership. The regime is seen as increasingly influenced by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has taken a more hawkish stance. Reports indicate that the IRGC maintains significant control despite the reported injury of Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei in a previous US-Israeli strike, with leadership described as collective and cohesive under IRGC direction.

Military analysts suggest the US faces strategic limitations despite bolstering its forces in the region, including the arrival of a third carrier strike group and additional marine units. Large-scale operations such as seizing Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal are considered possible but complex and risky. Further US or Israeli military strikes have so far failed to decisively weaken Iran’s capabilities or shift the political landscape. While Iran has sustained heavy casualties, its regime remains intact and resistant to compromise, with economic damage accepted as part of its broader strategic calculation.

The evolving standoff in the Strait of Hormuz continues to impact global energy markets, maintaining oil prices near $100 per barrel and prompting ongoing international efforts to manage the risks of escalation between the United States and Iran.