Iran And U.S. Both Claim Control Over Strait Of Hormuz

For decades, the waterway was a relatively safe and reliable transit route for Middle East oil and natural gas supplies.

A main point of the conflict between Iran and the U.S. is increasingly about who controls the Strait of Hormuz.

For decades, the waterway was a relatively safe and reliable transit route for Middle East oil and natural gas supplies.

By saying that an interim ceasefire gave it the right to establish the terms under which ships traversed the strait, and threatening and firing upon vessels that did not use its preferred route, Iran has sought to exert control over the waterway and gain negotiating leverage with the U.S..

On Monday, President Trump sought to tip the scales. He reimposed a blockade on Iran and said the U.S. controls the Strait and would charge fees to ships for safe passage. He has since drew back the statement on fees.

The announcement came as the U.S. and Iran have been ramping up attacks against each other to assert control over the Strait, threatening to return to all-out war.