FACT FOCUS: A look at US and Iranian claims of control over the Strait of Hormuz
Summary
The United States and Iran are both claiming control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil and gas shipments. President Donald Trump announced the U.S. will enforce a blockade and charge ships fees for safe passage, while Iran insists it controls the strait and has threatened to attack vessels not following its routes. This rivalry increases tensions and risks disrupting international trade and energy markets.Key Facts
- The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage between Iran and Oman, used for transporting Middle East oil and natural gas.
- Iran claims sovereignty over the strait and controls its waterways through its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.
- The United States says it controls the strait and announced it will block Iran and charge fees for safe ship passage.
- Both countries are carrying out attacks against each other to assert control over the waterway.
- International law recognizes the strait as an international waterway allowing free passage for ships.
- Neither the U.S. nor Iran has formally agreed to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, but its rules are widely accepted.
- Iran’s control efforts followed attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Iranian targets earlier in 2026.
- Disputes over control have increased global energy prices by threatening the reliability of oil shipments through the strait.
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