Trump says U.S. has "total control" over Strait of Hormuz and might "keep it"

President Trump asserted on Truth Social that the United States maintains "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz and suggested the nation might retain this control permanently. Trump stated: "The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!" He characterized the American naval presence as a "WALL OF STEEL" and claimed Iran lacks military capability to challenge U.S. dominance in the region. However, Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority immediately disputed these assertions, maintaining that the waterway "remains blocked and will not be reopened until Iran's conditions are accepted." The authority was established to manage transit through the strait and collect tolls following the conflict's outbreak. Vessel traffic through this critical shipping lane has plummeted dramatically—only eight ships transited on Tuesday, compared to approximately 130 daily passages before hostilities commenced on February 28. This represents a one-week low, creating significant disruptions to global energy markets.