US President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that the US will maintain its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran reiterated that the waterway would stay closed until its demands are met. “The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE ...

Trump says the U.S. naval blockade is being called “a wall of steel," and Iran can't do anything about it.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that Iranian ships will no longer be able to travel through the Strait of Hormuz and America would charge a 20% toll on other countries' eligible cargo, escalating tensions after weekend of attacks by both nations to assert control of the critical waterway.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson shot back that Iranians had "shown they are professional chess players" after Trump said he was "low-keying it" and likened talks with Tehran to a chess game. View

The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump privately floated the idea with senior aides, with Iran's reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping a key condition.

Iran-US war latest: Trump military chief seeks ‘off-ramp’ from conflict as Strait of Hormuz ‘hit by missile strike’ - UAE condemns attack on carrier as it accuses Tehran of ‘acts of piracy’

Washington says it will lift the blockade and let Iran sell oil again. Tehran's foreign minister says that still isn't enough to open the Strait of Hormuz — compensation comes first.

Iran sees the Strait of Hormuz as leverage over Donald Trump, but prolonged conflict is worsening economic pressure and raising fears of renewed unrest. US officials are also weighing the limits of further military escalation.