Trump tells CNBC US has ‘total control’ of Hormuz, says blockade forced Iran to bend

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump declared Tuesday, April 21, that the United States now “totally controls” the Strait of Hormuz, arguing the naval blockade has been a major success and helped pressure Iran toward a final agreement.

Speaking in a CNBC interview, Trump insisted Washington would not reopen the crucial shipping lane until negotiations are completed, while dismissing contrary reporting as “fake news.”

Trump says US holds leverage in Hormuz standoff

During the interview with CNBC, Trump portrayed the maritime standoff as a strategic win for Washington and said Iran had already tried to push for reopening the route.

“The blockade has been a tremendous success,” Trump said.

He then described back-and-forth talks with Tehran over access to the waterway.

“They said two days ago, we will open the Strait. I said, no, we’re not going to open the Strait until we have a final deal.”

Trump added that Iran wanted traffic restored immediately, but the US position had not changed.

“No, no, we want to open this Strait. They said, we’re not opening. We totally control the Strait. Just so you understand, for all the fake news out there.”

Trump also sounded confident that negotiations with Iran would produce results, even as a ceasefire deadline approached.

“I think they have no choice, we’ve taken out their navy, we’ve taken out their air force, we’ve taken out their leaders”, he said when asked what he expected from another round of talks.

Trump ties Middle East policy to market rally

Trump also used the interview to highlight stock market gains, saying investors were responding positively to his handling of the crisis.

“I’m looking at your numbers now as I speak, the market’s up. We’re going to be at 50,000.”

He claimed markets had been at similar highs before military operations began. Trump then joked that he had to step away from market success to deal with Iran.

“I said well, I hate to do this to everybody but I’m going to have to journey down to a place called Iran.”

He warned that unchecked regional conflict would have triggered a far worse financial shock.

The US-Iran confrontation has centered heavily on the Strait of Hormuz after weeks of military escalation, shipping disruptions, and temporary ceasefire talks. 

Washington has asserted that the blockade is a necessary pressure, while Tehran has pushed for restored commercial passage.

Trump’s latest comments indicate the White House sees control of the waterway as a key bargaining chip ahead of further negotiations.