US-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: The battle over the Strait of Hormuz has shifted from military pressure to a war of words, with Iran’s new security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, openly mocking Donald Trump’s claim that the strategic waterway is under US control. Rezaei argued that Washington’s inability to fully reopen the Strait makes its claim of ownership unrealistic.
Rezaei’s comments came after Trump posted a map describing the Strait of Hormuz as “NEW U.S. Territory” and separately claimed that the waterway was open and operating. Trump also said the US naval blockade remained in force and that all mines in the strait had been removed or detonated.
The latest exchange comes as the US-Iran standoff enters a more uncertain phase. 60-day period for negotiations expired without a broader agreement, while Tehran continues to insist that it will not fully reopen Hormuz until Washington meets its demands.
US-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Iran Security Chief Mocks Trump’s ‘US Territory’ Claim
Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, directly challenged Trump’s description of the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on X, Rezaei wrote, “The gap between America’s inability to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and its claim to own it is greater than the 7,000-mile distance between Washington and the Strait itself.”
He then added, “Welcome to the post-American order in the Persian Gulf.”
Rezaei accompanied the message with a graphic showing the distance between Washington and the Strait of Hormuz. The image carried the caption:
“Some dreams are too far from reality.”
The gap between America’s inability to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and its claim to own it is greater than the 7,000-mile distance between Washington and the Strait itself.
Welcome to the post-American order in the Persian Gulf. pic.twitter.com/nC7VBCPILH— محسن رضایی (@ir_rezaee) August 18, 2026
The remarks followed Trump’s social media post showing the strategic waterway as “NEW U.S. Territory.”
US-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Trump Says Strait of Hormuz is ‘Open and Operating’
Trump has presented a very different picture of the situation.
In a Truth Social post, the US president said, “There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Trump also said the US naval blockade remained in place and claimed, “The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated.”
His statement came as shipping through the strategic waterway remained heavily disrupted. AP reported that maritime traffic had fallen sharply, underscoring the gap between Trump’s description of the strait as operational and the reality facing commercial shipping.
US-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Trump Posts Map Calling Strait of Hormuz ‘NEW U.S. Territory’
Trump’s map has become another major flashpoint in the confrontation.
The president has repeatedly suggested that Washington should take control of the strategically important waterway. His latest post went further by visually presenting the Strait of Hormuz as “NEW U.S. Territory.”
Iran has rejected the idea of US control over the strait and continues to maintain that Tehran will decide when and under what conditions the waterway reopens.
The territorial claim has also added another layer to an already complicated dispute involving maritime security, sanctions, oil exports and negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
US-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Iran Says Hormuz Will Stay Closed Until US Meets Demands
While Trump says the waterway is open, Iranian officials continue to say that Hormuz will remain closed until Washington meets the terms Tehran says were agreed upon in an interim memorandum.
Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the strait would not reopen until the US takes several steps, including ending its maritime blockade and lifting oil sanctions.
Iran has also demanded:
- An end to the US naval blockade
- Removal of oil sanctions
- Release of frozen Iranian assets
- An end to US military operations and threats
- Compensation for war-related damage
The demands have become central to the dispute over the future of the waterway.
US-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Why is the Strait of Hormuz So Important?
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is one of the world’s most important energy routes.
A prolonged disruption can affect oil and gas shipments, tanker movements and global energy prices. Reuters reported that the waterway previously carried about one-fifth of global oil and LNG shipments, making its continued disruption a major concern for energy markets.
That importance explains why Washington and Tehran have made control and access to Hormuz a central issue in their confrontation.
US-Iran Talks Remain Uncertain
US-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Diplomatic efforts have also become increasingly difficult.
Trump said on Tuesday that there were no talks or negotiations taking place or scheduled with Iran. His statement contradicted comments from his son-in-law and envoy Jared Kushner, who had described US-Iran contacts as “very positive and active conversations.”
The 60-day negotiating period linked to the interim arrangement expired without a broader agreement. The US has treated the previous deal as effectively over, while Iran continues to cite its terms when explaining its position on Hormuz.
US-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Iran and Oman Discuss Strait of Hormuz Arrangement
Iran and Oman have also been involved in efforts to address navigation through the waterway.
Oman has played a mediation role between Washington and Tehran, while discussions between Iran and Oman have focused on possible arrangements for managing maritime traffic through the strait.
AP reported that the proposed Iran-Oman arrangement has become another point of tension, with Trump opposing an agreement that could leave Tehran with a greater role in controlling the waterway.
The development has raised hopes among some regional governments that a separate maritime arrangement could eventually create space for renewed US-Iran diplomacy.
US-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Trump’s Hormuz Claim Comes Amid Wider Regional Tensions
The dispute over Hormuz is taking place against a much broader regional crisis.
The US-Iran conflict has entered its sixth month, while the collapse of the latest negotiating window has increased concerns that the confrontation could continue.
The UAE has also reported ballistic missile launches from Iran, although Tehran has rejected the accusation as baseless. Meanwhile, attacks involving commercial vessels have added to fears about the security of shipping in and around the Gulf.
For now, the biggest disagreement remains clear: Trump says the Strait of Hormuz is open and under US control, while Iran says the waterway will remain closed until Washington meets its demands.
