Iran US clash over Strait of Hormuz control

On August 13, 2026, Iran and the United States escalated their dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz. Hossein Taeb, head of Iran's Basij paramilitary unit, declared the strait under Iran's control, a day after President Donald Trump claimed total U.S. control. Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters stated no vessel could transit without Tehran's permission, dismissing U.S. claims as lies. The confrontation follows a war that began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, after which Iran effectively shut the strait, a vital route for about a fifth of global oil and LNG. The U.S. imposed a naval blockade on Iranian shipping. A June interim ceasefire agreement unraveled, with both sides accusing each other of violations. Iran resumed limited attacks on vessels, and the U.S. restarted strikes on Iran's southern provinces. Iranian officials, including adviser Mohammad Mokhber and military official Rasoul Sanaei-Rad, warned of offensive action and conditioned reopening the strait on U.S. commitments. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of miscalculation, and parliamentarian Behnam Saeedi said the strait is closed to U.S. and Israeli ships. Iran is reportedly considering a deal with Oman to manage transit.