Conflicting claims emerged on June 22, 2026, over the status of the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global oil shipping lane. Former U.S. President Donald Trump asserted in a Truth Social post that the strait remains fully open to tanker traffic. His statement directly contradicts an announcement by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which declared the waterway closed indefinitely.
Diplomatic Efforts Amid Escalating Rhetoric
At the same time, a delegation from the United States, Iran, Qatar, and Pakistan is holding talks in Switzerland aimed at finalizing a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ — with negotiators reportedly agreeing on a 60-day roadmap toward a comprehensive deal addressing regional security and the future of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump Dismisses Media Reports, Claims Iranian Military Collapse
In his post, Trump sharply criticized recent reporting — particularly by The New York Times — calling it ‘corrupt and failed.’ He claimed that Iran’s military capabilities have been ‘completely destroyed’: its army ‘finished,’ its navy and air force ‘vanished,’ its missile launch sites, drones, and domestic weapons production ‘nearly eliminated,’ and its top two leadership groups ‘wiped out.’
He added that Iran faces 250% inflation, a collapsed economy, unpaid soldiers, and worsening internal instability — while insisting the Strait of Hormuz remains open and oil continues flowing freely. In contrast, he highlighted record-high U.S. stock market performance and employment levels.
Escalation and Warning
Trump’s remarks followed the IRGC’s closure announcement. Earlier, on Fox News, he warned that if the strait were to close, the U.S. would resume airstrikes. ‘We can take control of the Strait of Hormuz, if necessary,’ he said. ‘If no agreement is reached, we will collect tolls. You won’t even return to your country.’
The situation underscores deepening tensions amid parallel diplomatic efforts — raising questions about credibility, strategic messaging, and the real-time status of one of the world’s most vital maritime chokepoints.