Trump Claims Total Control Over Hormuz: Is That Really the Case?
On August 12, U.S. President Donald Trump once again made his familiar Trump Claims Total Control Over Hormuz declaration, insisting that American forces, “and nobody else,” control the strategically important waterway. The first problem with Trump’s statement is the difference between the notion of military presence and effective control. The United States has a powerful naval force in and around the Persian Gulf, including more than 15 warships. But having warships near the Strait does not automatically mean controlling it. If Washington truly had complete control over Hormuz, commercial shipping would presumably be moving normally, without responding to Iranian restrictions.…