Former President Donald Trump said he does not trust Iran and asserted that the U.S. fully controls the Strait of Hormuz [1].
These statements arrive during a period of heightened regional instability where the accessibility of the strategic waterway directly impacts global energy markets and maritime security.
Trump's remarks were reported in early April 2026 [1, 2]. The former president's comments regarding the strait, a critical passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, appeared to be contradictory. In some instances, he said that the U.S. does not use Hormuz, while in others he demanded that the strait be opened [1].
The rhetoric coincides with reports of approximately 20,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz [1]. This congestion has increased the urgency of diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region and ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels.
Concurrent with these tensions, discussions have emerged regarding a possible diplomatic reprieve. An official statement from Iran mentioned a proposed cease-fire lasting two weeks [2]. This proposal suggests a window for negotiation, though Trump's public distrust of the Iranian government complicates the likelihood of a formal agreement.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most volatile chokepoints in the world. Any perceived shift in control or a total closure of the waterway would likely trigger immediate volatility in oil prices and disrupt international trade routes.
While the U.S. maintains a significant naval presence in the region, the conflicting messages regarding the necessity and use of the strait highlight the complexity of managing the current standoff with Tehran [1, 2].
“Donald Trump said he does not trust Iran”
The friction between Trump's assertions of total control and the reality of thousands of stranded sailors suggests a gap between political rhetoric and operational stability. If the U.S. cannot guarantee the flow of traffic despite claims of control, the proposed two-week cease-fire may become the only viable short-term mechanism to prevent a wider maritime conflict.
