Trump Says US Will Control Strait of Hormuz and Seek Payment for Protecting Key Oil Route

US President Donald Trump has said the United States would take control of the Strait of Hormuz and should receive compensation for securing the strategic waterway, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate.

As per reports, Trump said the US would act as the “guardian” of the strait, one of the world’s most important maritime routes for energy shipments.

“We’re going to keep the strait, and we’ll probably run it. We’ll become the guardian of the strait… and we should be reimbursed for that,” Trump said.

The remarks came as the United States and Iran exchanged conflicting claims over control of the waterway following renewed military confrontations in the Gulf.

Strait of Hormuz at centre of tensions

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and serves as a crucial passage for global energy supplies.

Around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass through the narrow waterway. Any disruption to shipping activity in the region can affect global energy markets and push fuel prices higher.

Iran has repeatedly claimed authority over the strategic route, while the US has maintained that commercial vessels should continue to have access under international navigation rights.

Iran rejects Trump’s comments

Iran rejected Trump’s statement that Washington could take control of the strait.

The country’s top joint military command warned that it would oppose any US attempt to intervene in the management of the waterway.

Iranian military officials said any US vessel attempting to pass through the strait without authorisation from Tehran would face a strong response. They also warned neighbouring countries against supporting Washington, saying such cooperation would be considered hostile action against Iran.

The warning came amid wider concerns that continued military exchanges could expand the conflict across the region.

Trump criticises Iran’s negotiating approach

During the interview, Trump also criticised Iran’s approach to negotiations, accusing Tehran of repeatedly changing its position during discussions.

He said previous US administrations had failed to prevent Iran from increasing its influence and again criticised the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal.

Trump claimed the agreement did not sufficiently restrict Iran’s nuclear ambitions and repeated his decision to withdraw the US from the deal during his presidency.

He also blamed former US presidents, including Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, for their handling of Iran policy.

Trump defends Soleimani killing

Trump also defended the 2020 US drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, describing him as both highly capable and dangerous.

He said the operation was necessary and claimed that recent US military actions had prevented Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

US and Iranian forces exchanged missile and drone attacks over the weekend and into Monday, with Tehran claiming strikes on US military facilities across the Gulf and maintaining that the Strait of Hormuz had been closed.

The developments have added further pressure on global energy markets, with oil prices rising amid fears of disruption to one of the world’s busiest energy corridors.