**Iran Asserts Control Over Strait of Hormuz, Disputes U.S. Claims**
*Published: August 13, 2026*
In a significant escalation of rhetoric, Iran has firmly stated that the Strait of Hormuz is "under Iran’s control and management." This assertion comes in response to comments made by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that the United States had "total control" over the strategically vital waterway.
The statement was made by Hojjatoleslam Hossein Taeb, the commander of Iran's paramilitary Basij Organisation, who emphasized that the Islamic Republic maintains security in the region. His comments were reported by the semi-official Fars news agency on Thursday. "Today you see that the Strait of Hormuz is under the management and control of the Islamic Republic," Taeb declared, indicating that Iran is committed to ensuring the security of its maritime boundaries.
Trump's remarks, posted on his Truth Social platform, came just a day before Taeb's statement. He asserted that the U.S. had complete oversight of the waterway, which is critical for global oil and liquefied natural gas transport. The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial chokepoint, with approximately one-fifth of the world's oil transiting through it.
The backdrop to this exchange is the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran, which has intensified since the onset of hostilities on February 28, 2026. Following the outbreak of this conflict, Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, leading to significant reductions in maritime traffic. In response, the U.S. has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian shipping and has pledged to protect freedom of navigation for vessels traveling to and from non-Iranian ports.
Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, a joint military command, further reinforced the country's stance by stating that no vessel could pass through the Strait of Hormuz without Tehran's explicit permission. In a statement, the command dismissed U.S. claims regarding the normal passage of vessels as "lies and falsehoods."
Additionally, senior military political official Rasoul Sanaei-Rad indicated that Iran would not consider reopening the strait unless the U.S. met its obligations under an interim deal aimed at resolving the conflict. He asserted that the reopening of the waterway could not be achieved unilaterally by the U.S. and warned of a more aggressive Iranian response in any future military engagements.
The situation has been further complicated by a ceasefire agreement reached in June, which extended a pause in hostilities that had begun in April. This agreement aimed to restore freedom of navigation in the Gulf but quickly deteriorated as Iran resumed limited attacks on vessels it accused of violating the terms of the ceasefire. In retaliation, the U.S. resumed military strikes in Iran’s southern provinces, targeting capabilities that could threaten maritime security in the Gulf.
Michael Stephens, a senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, commented on Iran's strategic calculations, suggesting that the Iranian government believes the ongoing economic pressure does not pose an existential threat to its survival. "That existential threat is gone," he stated, indicating that Iran may seek to prolong the conflict to increase pressure on the U.S. administration.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also weighed in on the situation, criticizing U.S. intelligence assessments and actions in the Strait of Hormuz as significant miscalculations. He described the U.S. approach as "worse than fake news," emphasizing the potential consequences of flawed intelligence in shaping U.S. policy toward Iran.
As tensions continue to mount in the region, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains precarious, with both nations asserting their positions in a conflict that has far-reaching implications for global energy markets and regional stability.