Former U.S. President Donald Trump said that ships are flowing through the Strait of Hormuz at an unprecedented rate [1].
The remarks highlight escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran over the security of one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints. The Strait of Hormuz is the narrow waterway between Oman and Iran that links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.
Speaking on May 15, 2026 [1], Trump said that roughly 700 vessels are currently crossing the waterway [1]. He said this volume of traffic serves as evidence that Iranian attempts to block the strait have failed [1].
"Our patience with Iran is running out. The ships are flowing through the Strait of Hormuz like never before, about 700 vessels," Trump said [1].
Trump also said that he would not allow any single country to dominate the vital waterway. He said the current traffic levels are at an unprecedented level [2].
The former president used the data to apply pressure to Tehran, suggesting that the high volume of shipping demonstrates a lack of control by Iranian forces over the passage [1].
While Trump cited a figure of 700 ships [1], other reports have indicated a lower record of roughly 450 ships during the same period, suggesting a discrepancy in the reported vessel counts.
“"Our patience with Iran is running out."”
These statements reflect a strategic effort to project strength and stability in the Persian Gulf. By claiming an unprecedented flow of traffic, Trump is attempting to undermine Iran's perceived ability to leverage the strait as a geopolitical tool, while simultaneously signaling a decrease in diplomatic patience that could precede more aggressive policy shifts.
