WASHINGTO D.C August 10, 2026 — U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that the U.S. Navy has completely mine-swept the Strait of Hormuz and now fully controls the critical waterway, declaring it open for most shipping amid ongoing tensions with Iran.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump stated: “Look, the only one that has control of the Strait of Hormuz right now is the U.S. Navy. We’ve mine-swept the entire strait… we control the strait 100 percent.”
He added that the waterway is “open now” for vessels not traveling to or from Iran, while emphasizing that the U.S. maintains an “infallible” naval blockade described as a “steel wall” that only targets Iranian-bound traffic. Trump noted occasional Iranian attempts to drop new mines, which he said U.S. forces continue to locate and clear.
The remarks come as Iran has insisted the Strait of Hormuz — a vital chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes — will remain restricted until the United States meets Tehran’s demands, including war reparations, the lifting of the naval blockade, and an end to related military pressure. Iranian officials have also linked any reopening to the unfreezing of assets and other concessions.
The Strait of Hormuz has been a flashpoint in the prolonged U.S.-Iran conflict, with earlier Iranian mining operations, U.S. strikes on mine-laying vessels, and intermittent disruptions to commercial shipping. Trump’s latest comments appear aimed at signaling that American forces have neutralized the mine threat and restored operational control, though independent verification of full clearance and shipping resumption remains pending.
Oil markets and global energy security continue to watch developments closely, as any sustained disruption in the strait historically drives sharp price increases.
About The Author
