Trump says US has "total control over the Strait of Hormuz" amid Iran closure claims

During a recent briefing, President Donald Trump said the United States retains full command of the narrow Gulf channel that connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea, a statement that clashes with Iranian officials’ claim that they have sealed the passage and will keep it closed until their conditions are satisfied. The dispute follows remarks from a senior adviser to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, who suggested that extending hostilities with the United States could demonstrate the costs to any future administration. Meanwhile, oil prices remained around $87 a barrel as traders weighed the potential for supply interruptions alongside concerns about slowing demand growth, and market analysts observed that the stalled diplomatic talks and the ongoing standoff continue to affect energy markets.