By asserting that the US controls the Strait of Hormuz, Trump has put Iran on a "red line."

According to the TASS news agency.On August 12, speaking to reporters at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump declared that U.S. forces control the Strait of Hormuz and are in control of this vital waterway. This statement sends a direct deterrent message to the Iranian government, amidst ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

President Donald Trump emphasized that U.S. control of Hormuz is an absolute reality and no other nation can interfere. He warned that if Iran makes any move to change the current status quo, U.S. forces will immediately retaliate and crush those threats.

Military tensions between the two sides escalated sharply on February 28th, when the US and Israel jointly launched a large-scale military operation against Iran. By June 2026, Washington and Tehran had signed a memorandum of understanding outlining an immediate ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

However, the temporary peace was quickly shattered when the US unexpectedly resumed large-scale airstrikes on the night of July 8th. Washington accused Tehran of seriously violating the terms of its commitments regarding security in the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite the escalating conflict, diplomatic efforts continued behind the scenes. On August 2nd, President Donald Trump announced his decision to cancel a previously planned large-scale attack to create space for reaching an agreement with Tehran. This decision came after Iran and other Middle Eastern nations called on Washington to exercise restraint, given that an initial framework agreement had already been reached.

On August 6th, Saudi Arabia's Al Arabiya television channel, citing a high-ranking source, confirmed that direct consultations between the US and Iran, facilitated by intermediaries, had entered their final stages.