US and Iran clash over Hormuz control as shipping traffic plunges

What happened

On August 13, 2026, Washington and Tehran made opposing claims over the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump said the US has “total control” of the waterway and intends to keep it, while Iran’s military rejected this as “lies” and said the strait remains blocked until its conditions are accepted. Shipping data showed traffic near a three-month low: 13 vessels transited on Tuesday, about 90% below the pre-war daily average, and only 3 ships transited in the past 24 hours per the Hormuz Strait Monitor. Since the war began on February 28, Iran has effectively shut the strait, and the US has imposed a naval blockade. As of August 12, US forces had redirected 59 commercial vessels, disabled 3, and boarded 2. Defense Secretary Hegseth said the US Navy can maintain the blockade indefinitely.

Why it matters

The standoff has major global energy and security implications. Hormuz previously carried about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas. The IEA forecasts world oil demand will decline by 1.6 million barrels per day in 2026 partly because of the strait’s ongoing closure. Iran has also suggested it could prolong the war until Trump leaves office to deter future US attacks. The dispute complicates stalled negotiations, fuels regional attacks on shipping, contributed to an oil spill off Oman, and has strained US forces, prompting the replacement of the USS Abraham Lincoln after more than 200 days without a port call.