Trump Says U.S. Controls Strait Of Hormuz As Iran Tensions Rise
U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States has 'fully taken control' of the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions escalate with Iran amid ongoing negotiations and heightened military activity in the region.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on April 23, Trump said Washington had established full control over the strategic waterway. He also stated that Iran’s leadership is currently in a state of 'turmoil,' adding that he does not 'want to rush' a deal while talks continue.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said the conflict has extended beyond an earlier four-to-six-week timeline but claimed the U.S. military had made 'decisive progress' within the first four weeks of operations. He added that Washington is now waiting for a diplomatic outcome, warning that if Iran refuses to agree, the situation would be resolved 'through military means.'
Trump said the U.S. has struck roughly 75% of identified targets in Iran, and suggested Iranian forces may have redeployed during a two-week ceasefire period. He also claimed that Iran’s commercial activity has been severely disrupted due to blockade conditions, describing the country as being 'in turmoil.'
United States Expands Maritime Operations In Strategic Waterway
Trump reiterated that the U.S. seeks a 'durable agreement' and said such a deal could be reached 'right now,' though negotiations would proceed based on conditions. He stated that the Strait of Hormuz would remain under U.S. control and would only be reopened once a deal is reached or 'other circumstances occur.'
In his Truth Social post, Trump also said he had ordered the U.S. Navy to open fire and sink any vessel laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing there would be 'no hesitation.'
He added that U.S. mine-sweeping vessels are currently operating in the area and that the mission has been ordered to continue at 'three times the original intensity.'
On April 23, the U.S. Department of Defense said on social media that American forces had intercepted and boarded a tanker transporting Iranian oil at sea. The interception reportedly took place overnight on April 22 in the Indian Ocean. The vessel was described as stateless.
The Pentagon said U.S. forces would continue global maritime enforcement operations targeting ships allegedly supplying material support to Iran.
Tehran Displays Defiance With Public Messaging
In Tehran, state-aligned messaging took a sharply defiant tone. According to a report by Agence France-Presse on April 23, a large banner was displayed in central Tehran declaring 'permanent control' of the Strait of Hormuz.
The billboard showed a hand wearing a sleeve patterned with the Iranian flag gripping a blue ribbon symbolizing maritime routes. One end of the ribbon was filled with ships, while the other end was empty. The Persian-language text on the banner read: 'Trump’s words are meaningless. The Strait of Hormuz will always remain under Iran’s control.'
Separately, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that Iranian Parliament Deputy Speaker Hamid-Reza Haji Babaei said Tehran had received its first payment related to Strait of Hormuz passage fees, which was deposited into the country’s central bank account.
The messaging echoes previous Iranian displays of deterrence. In late January, amid U.S. warnings of potential military action, large billboards in Tehran depicted a damaged U.S. aircraft carrier with the slogan: 'Those who ignite the wind shall face the storm,' written in both Persian and English.