Trump claims control of Strait of Hormuz and threatens Oman as 60-day Iran truce expires

Territorial claims and oil flows

Donald Trump stated on 17 August 2026 that declaring the Strait of Hormuz as United States territory would be an effective measure, pointing to the ongoing American naval blockade. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump asserted that American naval forces maintain complete control over the strategic waterway following his initial announcement on 14 August 2026. United States Secretary of Energy Chris Wright reported that an average of 9 million barrels of crude oil exits the Strait of Hormuz daily. Trump noted that commercial oil shipments continue to move through the passage while global crude prices continue to decline under current enforcement. He added that Washington could take more decisive measures if security dynamics change. He also addressed the operational readiness of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group deployed in the area, rejecting television reporting regarding poor onboard conditions and confirming sufficient food provisions.

Well, I just think it is a great idea. We control it through the blockade. I like the idea of declaring it as a territory. We can do that. We have total control over the strait.

Expiration of the 60-day truce

The statements came as the 60-day ceasefire framework established in mid-June in Islamabad between Washington and Tehran reached its expiration on Monday. During an interview with Fox News, Trump called on Iranian authorities to wave a white flag and surrender, asserting that the country faces 300% inflation alongside heavy military degradation. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran will transition its operational posture from defensive to fully offensive if the June agreement is not enacted within weeks. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei dismissed the 60-day deadline as irrelevant, stating that Washington breached the truce terms at the start of the period. Trump stated that he is operating without a rigid timetable, has no hurry, and remains focused on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Military threats against Oman

Trump also issued direct military threats against Oman, a traditional United States security partner in the Gulf. The warning followed bilateral negotiations between Oman and Iran over navigational protocols through the Strait of Hormuz, with the Iranian Foreign Ministry confirming on Monday morning that both capitals are preparing a joint declaration on the issue. Trump warned on Fox News that the United States would bomb Oman heavily if the sultanate interferes with American naval operations or the Iranian blockade. He asserted that United States armed forces possess ample stockpiles of medium-range weapons and have utilized only a fraction of their total arsenal. Addressing maritime risks, Trump stated that Iran could attempt to place naval mines targeting commercial vessels worth billions of dollars, justifying sustained American naval intervention.

Backchannel contacts and regional talks

Alongside the public confrontation, Trump confirmed that the United States maintains active communication channels with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The direct backchannel bypasses official ministerial structures in Tehran to engage the military wing directly despite past confrontations. United States diplomatic activity also extended to regional negotiations in Egypt, where presidential envoy Jared Kushner met Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya on 16 August 2026. Trump confirmed a distinct channel of communication with Hamas, stating that the organization will ultimately surrender its weaponry. Asked about upcoming parliamentary elections in Israel, Trump stated that while staying out of foreign balloting is preferable, he may issue a formal endorsement for a preferred candidate before voting begins.