Trump says US fully controls shipping through Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump has said that the United States fully controls the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important maritime routes, through which a large share of global oil exports passes.

According to Trump, despite Washington's full control over the strait, Iran still retains a degree of influence in the region. The American leader did not elaborate further on his statement.

Why the Strait of Hormuz matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Ships carrying a significant portion of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas pass through it daily, making any threat to safe navigation in the area a potential risk to global energy markets.

Iran has repeatedly been mentioned in connection with possible closure of the strait or disruption of shipping as a retaliatory measure against international pressure, although such a step would also affect Iran's own interests, since part of its oil exports also pass through the strait.

Trump's statement points to a continued US military and strategic presence in the region, while also acknowledging that Iran still retains a certain role in developments around the narrow waterway.