President Donald Trump declared Thursday that the United States has total control over the Strait of Hormuz and that no ship can enter or leave without U.S. Navy approval.
Key Takeaways:
President Trump declared on April 23, 2026, that the U.S. Navy has sealed the Strait of Hormuz pending an Iran deal. Iran seized two container ships on April 22, retaliating after the USS Spruance disabled and boarded the MV Touska on April 19. Brent crude prices spiked on April 23 as the U.S. blockade, now active since April 13, disrupts roughly 20% of global oil trade. U.S.-Iran Naval Crisis: What Is Happening in the Strait of Hormuz Right NowIran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is! They just don’t know! The infighting is between the ‘Hardliners,’ who have been losing BADLY on the battlefield, and the ‘Moderates,’ who are not very moderate at all (but gaining respect!), is CRAZY! We have total control over the Strait of Hormuz. No ship can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy. It is ‘Sealed up Tight,’ until such time as Iran is able to make a DEAL!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly 20 percent of global oil trade. Brent crude prices moved sharply higher on Thursday as the naval standoff continued. Iran has denied U.S. claims of total control, with independent shipping data showing some disruption and vessel turn-backs but not a complete halt to traffic.
Amid the operations, the U.S. Navy Secretary was removed following internal disputes over the Iran campaign. The personnel change comes as CENTCOM coordinates enforcement across the Gulf of Oman and the Strait.
The situation continues to shift, with military posturing, oil market pressure, and diplomatic back-channels all active simultaneously.
