Trump claims 'total control' of Strait of Hormuz as war drags on

President Donald Trump declared once again on Wednesday that the U.S. military had "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz and floated the possibility the United States could retain control of the key waterway. "The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz," he said on Truth Social on Wednesday morning. "I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT! Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, 'A WALL OF STEEL,' and there is nothing Iran can do about it." The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway connecting the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and Iran has the largest coastline along the strait, giving it key proximity to it. Prior to the start of the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran, roughly 20% of the world's gas flowed through the strait, though traffic has significantly decreased since the conflict began.