On Thursday, August 13th, 2026, Iran’s military strongly refuted claims made by former US President Donald Trump that the United States controls the Strait of Hormuz. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran's central military command, Khatam-al Anbiya, described the US assertions as "lies and fabrications," emphasizing that the waterway remains fully under Tehran's control.
"The Strait of Hormuz is, as in the past, under the complete management and control of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Zolfaghari said in a video broadcast by state television. He added that no commercial ship or tanker can safely pass through the strait without the permission and supervision of the Iranian armed forces.
Iran has maintained control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy transit route, since the outbreak of the Middle East war on February 28th, 2026. Vessels are required to obtain permission and pay transit fees to navigate the waterway.
Trump had posted on Truth Social on Wednesday claiming that the US "has total control over the Strait of Hormuz."
Supporting Iran’s stance, Hossein Taeb, head of the paramilitary Basij forces under the Revolutionary Guards, stated, "Today, you see that the Strait of Hormuz is under the management and control of the Islamic republic, and our country continues on its path in complete security."
Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi also commented that the US makes miscalculations regarding the waterway. Additionally, Iranian parliamentarian Behnam Saeedi declared the strait closed to US and Israeli ships.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over control of this strategic maritime passage.
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