During a speech in Dallas, Donald Trump asserted that the US holds dominion over the Strait of Hormuz, jokingly suggesting it be renamed the “Trump Strait.”
DALLAS, TEXAS: President Donald Trump recently made headlines by declaring that the United States has taken control of the Strait of Hormuz, going so far as to suggest it be renamed the “Trump Strait.” Speaking at the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas amid ongoing geopolitical tensions with Iran, Trump’s remarks have sparked widespread discussion. Here is a closer look at the reality behind his assertions.
The Claim: Trump Asserts US Dominance Over the Strait of Hormuz
While addressing the crowd late Wednesday, September 9, Trump expressed confidence regarding the ongoing situation in the Middle East, claiming that a US victory would soon drive down global oil prices.
“Oil (prices) will be going down as soon as we win the war with Iran, which is taking place right now. We’ll win it,” Trump told attendees at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Transitioning to the strategic waterway, Trump maintained that American forces now dictate the terms in the region, playfully proposing a new moniker for the passage. “We’re winning it. We control the Hormuz Strait. I think we should call the Hormuz Strait, we should call it the Trump Strait. I should get something out of it. The Trump Strait.”
“It’s going to be called — ladies and gentlemen, I’ll have an announcement — we’ll call it the Trump Strait, and I’m sure the Iranian leadership will be thrilled with that,” he quipped.
Furthermore, Trump characterized Iran as a declining power, referring to them as having been “the bully of the Middle East for 51 years” while asserting that they no longer hold that status. These remarks come despite a diplomatic memorandum signed back in June aimed at reopening the critical trade route through a comprehensive peace framework.
Fact Check: Is the Claim Accurate?
Verdict: False.
Despite the former president’s assertions, the United States does not hold legal or absolute control over the Strait of Hormuz. Geographically, the vital waterway sits directly between the sovereign territorial waters of Iran and Oman.
Iran consistently rejects Washington’s authority in the area and continues to stake its own claims over the passage. Moreover, persistent military friction and naval hostilities have drastically impacted commercial maritime traffic, causing daily vessel transits to plummet from a pre-war average of over 130 ships to just a handful.
While the US Navy has actively conducted mine-clearing missions and provided escorts for select commercial vessels, defense analysts emphasize that the route remains highly volatile and hazardous. With Tehran retaining the capability to target shipping lanes using drones, missiles, and naval mines, neither nation possesses undisputed operational supremacy over the Strait of Hormuz.