“We control” the Strait of Hormuz, says Trump
“We control” the Strait of Hormuz, says Trump in a bold declaration that has sent ripples through global energy markets and diplomatic circles alike. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, May 15, 2026, the U.S. President painted a picture of absolute maritime dominance following a high-stakes summit in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to Donald Trump, the strategic waterway—long a flashpoint for international conflict—is now effectively under American jurisdiction after a month-long campaign that he claims has decimated Tehran’s naval capabilities.
“We control the Strait, and they’ve done no business… so we have been doing very well on all fronts,” Trump told the press corps as he departed China. His comments come at a critical juncture where a “shaky” ceasefire holds by a thread, and the world watches to see if the “Tehran Tollbooth” model of maritime extortion has finally been dismantled.
A New Era of Maritime Dominance?
The President’s rhetoric on Friday was nothing short of triumphalist. For months, the Strait of Hormuz has been the center of a “shadow war” involving seized tankers, drone strikes, and GPS jamming. However, Trump’s latest assessment suggests that the kinetic phase of the conflict has resulted in a one-sided victory.
“We don’t need favors,” Trump added, leaning into his signature “America First” posture. “We wiped out their armed forces, essentially.” When pressed on the specifics of the current ceasefire, the President was candid about his willingness to return to hostilities if necessary. “We may have to do a little cleanup work,” he noted, suggesting that while the main Iranian fleet may be neutralized, asymmetrical threats—such as naval mines or hidden missile batteries—remain on the radar.
The Beijing Accord: Trump, Xi Jinping, and the Nuclear Question
The centerpiece of the President’s trip was his meeting with Xi Jinping. In a rare moment of apparent alignment between the two superpowers, Trump claimed that China has reached a breaking point with Iran‘s disruptions to global trade. Given that China is a primary importer of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, the economic stakes for Beijing could not be higher.
“He feels strongly they can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said of Xi. “And he wants them to open up the strait.” This alignment is significant; if China truly withdraws its diplomatic umbrella from Tehran, the Iranian regime finds itself more isolated than ever before. The President noted that the two leaders agreed that the nuclear program in Iran must be permanently curtailed to prevent a regional arms race that would inevitably drag in both Washington and Beijing.
Iran’s Defiant Counter-Narrative: Abbas Araghchi Rejects US Claims
While the President spoke of control from 30,000 feet, Iran‘s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was busy crafting a different story from the BRICS summit in New Delhi. Araghchi dismissed Trump’s claims of military dominance as “delusional” and declared that Tehran was, in fact, the true “victor” in the recent conflict.
“All countries now acknowledge that the Islamic Republic of Iran was the victor in this war,” Araghchi told reporters on Friday. According to the Foreign Minister, Iran’s ability to survive the U.S. blockade and continue its operations—including the recent seizure of vessels like the Ocean Koi—proves that Tehran has successfully imposed its will on the “world’s greatest powers.”
Araghchi characterized the current ceasefire as “very shaky” and warned that Iranian trust in Washington is at an all-time low. He clarified that while the Strait of Hormuz remains technically open to international shipping, it remains closed to any vessel connected to countries “at war with us.” This caveat leaves a wide door open for continued seizures and harassment, directly contradicting Trump’s claim of absolute control.
The 20-Year Deal: Redefining the Nuclear Program Standoff
One of the most surprising takeaways from Trump’s recent comments was his openness to a long-term diplomatic solution, albeit one on his own terms. In a separate interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Trump indicated that he would be satisfied with a 20-year suspension of Iran’s nuclear program.
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The PR Standpoint: Trump admitted that seizing the enriched uranium stockpile is partly about the “public relations” of a total victory.
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The Timeframe: A 20-year halt would exceed the limits of the previous JCPOA, providing a longer window of regional stability.
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The “Real” Commitment: Trump emphasized that he would only agree to such a deal if there was a “real” commitment from Tehran—one that includes intrusive inspections and the dismantling of the “tollbooth” maritime model.
“I’m not going to be much more patient,” Trump warned. “They should make a deal.”
Technical Comparison: Claims of Dominance vs. Reality
| Feature | Trump’s Position (US) | Araghchi’s Position (Iran) |
| Control of the Strait | “We control the Strait” | “Iran must be viewed as a power capable of confronting the greatest” |
| Military Status | Iranian forces “essentially wiped out” | Iran “prevented enemies from achieving objectives” |
| The Blockade | “So effective” it forced a ceasefire | Ceasefire is “very shaky” and untrustworthy |
| Shipping Access | Open for business | Closed to ships from “enemy” nations |
The “Cleanup Work” and Project Freedom
The President’s mention of “cleanup work” likely refers to Project Freedom, the U.S. naval initiative designed to clear the Strait of Hormuz of Iranian mines and drone swarms. Adm. Brad Cooper recently testified that while the Iranian navy’s physical capability has been “significantly degraded,” the psychological threat remains potent.
As “We control” the Strait of Hormuz, says Trump becomes the dominant headline, the merchant shipping industry remains cautious. Insurance premiums for tankers navigating the Gulf of Oman have not yet returned to pre-war levels. The “loud voice” of Tehran, as Cooper described it, continues to resonate with insurance underwriters who fear that “essentially wiped out” does not mean “completely eliminated.”
Note on Regional Stability: The “Tehran Tollbooth” model—where Iran attempts to charge merchant ships for passage through what it calls its “operational zone”—remains a major point of contention. Trump’s claim of control suggests the U.S. is no longer tolerating these fees, potentially setting the stage for direct naval engagements if Iran attempts to enforce them.
Global Economic Impact: Oil, Gas, and the China Factor
The Strait of Hormuz is the jugular vein of the global economy. With a fifth of the world’s oil passing through, any claim that “We control” the Strait of Hormuz, says Trump has immediate financial implications.
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Oil Price Volatility: Brent Crude prices saw a slight dip following Trump’s confidence but spiked again after Araghchi’s “shaky ceasefire” comments.
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China’s Energy Security: Xi Jinping‘s reported support for reopening the strait is a pragmatic move. China cannot afford a prolonged disruption that drives domestic inflation.
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The Submarine Cable Threat: As discussed in recent reports, the threat to underwater data cables adds a new layer of complexity. If the U.S. truly “controls” the water, it must also secure the data pipes that lie beneath.
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Conclusion: The Public Relations of War
In the end, the standoff in the Middle East is as much a war of words as it is a war of missiles. Donald Trump is betting on the optics of dominance—claiming that his blockade has brought Iran to its knees and that even Xi Jinping is now on his side regarding the nuclear program.
Tehran, conversely, is playing for survival. By declaring themselves the “victors,” the Iranian leadership is attempting to save face domestically and maintain leverage in any future peace talks. As the President departs Beijing, the question remains: is the U.S. truly in control of the Strait of Hormuz, or is this the “cleanup work” of a conflict that is far from over?
The world remains on edge. Between Trump’s “20-year” proposal and Araghchi’s “lack of trust,” the path to a negotiated settlement is narrow. For now, the “tollbooth” is closed, but the “shaky” ceasefire suggests that the gates could swing open at any moment.
Mainstream media references
- The Times of Israel: Trump says he’s OK with Iran suspending nuke program for 20 years if there’s a ‘real’ commitment
- The Times of Israel (Liveblog): Iran’s FM Araghchi: Tehran has ‘no trust’ in US, will only negotiate if it’s serious
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