Trump claims US has ‘almost total control’ of Strait of Hormuz after fresh Iran strikes - Moneycontrol.com

**Trump asserts U.S. dominance in the Strait of Hormuz amid fresh Iranian strikes**

Washington — Former President Donald J. Trump told a series of media outlets on Tuesday that the United States “has almost total control” of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world’s petroleum passes. His comments came after Iran launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks against U.S.‑aligned targets in the Persian Gulf, including a strike on a U.S. Navy vessel that it described as “unprovoked.” While the Pentagon confirmed that its warships remain on station and continue to escort commercial traffic, senior defense officials cautioned that “control” of the strait is a shared responsibility among coalition navies and that any escalation could rapidly disrupt global oil markets.

Trump, who has been actively commenting on Middle‑East affairs since leaving office, rejected the notion that the United States is pressuring Tehran to return to diplomatic talks over its nuclear program. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he said the U.S. “is not in a hurry” for Iran to re‑engage and that the Iranian leadership is “playing out the inevitable” by confronting American forces. The former president also dismissed the June nuclear‑deal framework that had been revived earlier this year, arguing that “the Iranian regime will never honor a deal they didn’t negotiate on their own terms.” His stance diverges sharply from that of the current administration, which has been quietly encouraging indirect talks to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Iranian officials responded by accusing the United States of “coercive intimidation” and warned that further strikes would be met with “proportionate retaliation.” Regional analysts note that while the U.S. maintains a robust naval presence, the strait’s narrow geography and the proximity of Iranian forces mean that absolute control is unrealistic. The latest flare‑up has already rattled oil prices, with Brent crude edging up 1.2 % in early trading. Observers say the diplomatic deadlock, compounded by Trump’s public opposition to a renewed nuclear deal, could prolong uncertainty in the Gulf and keep the world’s energy markets on edge.

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