Donald Trump Claims Control of Hormuz as Iran War Nears End

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the war with Iran will end very soon, predicting a rapid drop in global energy prices once the conflict concludes. Speaking at a campaign rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, Trump asserted that the United States has prevented Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and established total control over the Strait of Hormuz through a naval blockade he described as a wall of steel.

Despite these claims of victory, Trump admitted the U.S. may have overdone it by eliminating previous Iranian leaders, leaving Washington uncertain about who to negotiate with. This leadership vacuum persists as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps continues to challenge U.S. control of the Strait of Hormuz and has reportedly neutralized several U.S. military bases. U.S. officials have developed new strike plans targeting Iranian energy and nuclear sites, including the potential use of the mother of all bombs.

Regional instability has expanded as the Houthi Movement launched ballistic missile attacks against King Khalid International Airport and an Aramco distribution station in Saudi Arabia. In response to the broader conflict, Qatar reported a 42% GDP drop in the first half of 2026. Meanwhile, reports suggest the U.S. and Israel may execute a final devastating strike to provide a pretext for U.S. forces to withdraw from the Persian Gulf and for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel upcoming elections.