President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz must open immediately to all nations and remain free from Iranian control [1].
This demand places the U.S. in a direct confrontation with Iran over one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints. By tying the waterway's status to broader diplomatic agreements, the administration is using maritime access as a primary lever in nuclear negotiations.
The remarks occurred during a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the details reported through U.S. press briefings on May 28 [2]. Trump said, "The Strait of Hormuz must open immediately to all nations" [1]. He said the waterway must remain open [2].
These demands come amid reports of potential deals between Iran and Oman. Trump said there will be serious repercussions if Iran and Oman move forward with a deal to open the Strait of Hormuz [3]. This suggests the U.S. seeks to dictate the terms of any regional agreement rather than allowing local powers to negotiate independently.
White House read-outs from May 28 confirmed an agreement between Trump and Xi [2]. While the specific terms of the bilateral agreement were not fully detailed, the timing coincides with the U.S. push for free navigation in the Gulf. The administration aims to prevent any single nation from exercising unilateral control over the passage [1].
There have been inconsistencies in the administration's public messaging regarding the transition. Some reports indicated Trump previously said the Strait of Hormuz "will open itself," though he later said the U.S. ensure it is opened [2].
Trump's current position emphasizes that the waterway is a global necessity. He has linked the freedom of navigation to the stability of global energy markets, and the success of ongoing diplomatic efforts with Tehran [1].
“"The Strait of Hormuz must open immediately to all nations."”
The U.S. is signaling that it views the Strait of Hormuz not as a regional matter, but as a global security priority. By intervening in potential Iran-Oman deals and coordinating with China, the U.S. is attempting to internationalize the control of the strait to prevent Iran from using it as a geopolitical weapon during nuclear talks.
