President Donald Trump stated Tuesday that a naval blockade of Iran remains in effect and suggested the possibility of declaring the Strait of Hormuz a United States territory. The remarks come nearly six months after a joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran initiated a conflict that has impacted global energy markets and shipping channels. While the president asserted the U.S. maintains the upper hand, he also issued a warning to Oman, stating he would authorize military action if the Gulf nation interferes with U.S. operations.
The conflict, which began in late February, has led to a sustained increase in energy costs for American consumers. The national average price for a gallon of gasoline was just under $3 when the war started and has since risen to over $4. Though oil prices have decreased from an April peak of $112 per barrel, West Texas Intermediate crude rose to over $85 on Tuesday, up from approximately $66 before the onset of hostilities.
In social media posts and Oval Office comments this week, Trump maintained that the Hormuz Strait is "open and operating" following the removal of water mines. However, he also criticized Oman for its attempts to mediate between the U.S. and Iran. "If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the s‑‑‑ out of them," Trump told Fox News on Monday. Foreign policy experts, including Allison McManus of the Center for American Progress, described the current situation as a stalemate, noting that the administration's initial objectives have not yet been fully realized.
The naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz affects the roughly 20% of global oil supply that passes through the channel. Domestic political support for the military action appears low; a poll released Tuesday by The Economist and YouGov indicated that 57% of Americans believe the decision to go to war was wrong, while 25% believe it was right. While proponents of the administration's policy, such as former deputy assistant secretary of State Joel Rubin, suggest the military has successfully weakened Iranian proxies in Lebanon and Iraq, the central conflict remains unresolved.
What happens next depends on which strategic path the administration chooses: increasing military action, seeking a diplomatic settlement, or maintaining current economic and naval pressure. There are currently no talks scheduled between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The three-day pause on Canadian tariffs announced Tuesday does not apply to the Iran conflict, and no specific deadline for the conclusion of the naval blockade has been established.