Trump Considers Strait of Hormuz Control Amidst Iran War Escalation

As the conflict with Iran enters its second week, U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated he is considering taking control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments. This comes as commercial traffic through the strait has significantly slowed and global oil prices surge. Despite these developments, Trump has expressed confidence in the progress of the military campaign, claiming Iran’s military capabilities have been largely diminished.

The Situation in the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, is the world’s most important oil transit chokepoint. Approximately 20 million barrels of oil – nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows – passed through the strait each day in 2025, representing an estimated $600 billion in trade annually [Times Now]. Roughly 3,000 ships transit the strait each month.

Iran has warned that the Strait of Hormuz is “closed for business” and has reportedly attacked vessels in the region, though it has hinted at allowing passage for ships from friendly nations like Russia and China [Firstpost].

Trump’s Stance and Potential Actions

President Trump stated he is considering “taking over” the Strait of Hormuz and potentially initiating U.S. Navy escorts for oil tankers [Firstpost]. He also suggested providing “political risk insurance” to encourage operators to resume travel through the strait. If Iran continues to disrupt oil flow, Trump asserted the U.S. Would respond with significantly increased force.

In a recent interview, Trump claimed the war with Iran is “pretty much complete,” stating Iran has “no navy, no communications, [and] no Air Force” [Times Now]. He also indicated that U.S. Strikes on Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil terminal, had “totally demolished” the island, though he refrained from targeting energy infrastructure to avoid lengthy reconstruction efforts.

Underestimation of Iran’s Response

According to multiple sources, the Pentagon and National Security Council underestimated Iran’s willingness to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S. Military strikes [CNN]. This miscalculation has led to intensifying economic fallout, including the need for high-risk naval escorts – currently deemed too dangerous to conduct – for oil tankers.

International Involvement and Concerns

Trump has stated he is seeking assistance from “numerous countries” affected by Iran’s actions to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. He specifically mentioned potential contributions from China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom [USA Today].

The President dismissed concerns about rising gas prices in the U.S., predicting they would fall once the conflict in Iran concludes. However, the average U.S. Gas price has risen to $3.66 per gallon as of March 14, 2026, compared to $2.94 on March 1, 2026 [USA Today].

Ongoing Developments

Thirteen U.S. Service personnel have died since the start of the conflict, including six crew members who perished in a military refueling plane crash in Iraq [USA Today]. Trump has also questioned the status of Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, suggesting he may not even be alive.

Despite criticism, Trump remains unwilling to negotiate a deal with Iran unless the terms are “very solid,” including a complete abandonment of any nuclear ambitions [USA Today].