'Strait of Trump': US president says Iran must open key waterway
US President Donald Trump has demanded that Iran open the Strait of Hormuz for oil traffic, provocatively renaming the critical waterway the "Strait of Trump." He claims a peace deal is imminent despite Iranian denials, adding a controversial twist to the ongoing conflict.
The so-called 'Strait of Trump' incident refers to the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical 21-mile-wide shipping chokepoint south of Iran that handles approximately 20 million barrels of oil per day (25% of global seaborne oil trade). In late February 2026, Iran effectively closed the strait following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, causing maritime traffic to collapse by over 90%—the largest energy disruption in modern history. This closure came after years of Iran using the strait as geopolitical leverage, including previous threats in 2024 and 2025 to deter U.S. sanctions.
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to reopen the strait, which was later extended to five days as of March 26, 2026, to allow for diplomatic negotiations. Trump claimed talks were 'going very well' despite Iranian denials and dismissed Iran's proposals while hinting at further military targets if demands weren't met. The crisis has led to Brent crude prices surging to $116 per barrel (a 60% increase) and shipping costs for very large crude carriers rising by 94%, with major shipping lines like Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd suspending transits and rerouting around Africa.
Iran maintains its 'chokehold' on the strait, rejecting U.S. terms while fortifying positions on Harg Island (likely Hormuz or nearby) and demanding tolls, reparations, and post-war control. Military efforts to force the strait open have failed despite U.S. strikes on Iranian ships and planes, leading Trump to pivot toward negotiations as analysts note no viable military solution exists due to high costs, casualties, and Iran's physical control of the strategic waterway.
Regional alternatives are being explored, including a proposed 116-km inland canal from Port Khalid in Sharjah to Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman that could handle up to one-fifth of global oil supply, and a $100 billion 'Gulf Corridor' through the Haja Mountains to accommodate supertankers. However, existing pipeline alternatives have limited capacity (3.5–5.5 million barrels/day), insufficient for normal Hormuz volumes, leaving approximately 14 million barrels/day dependent on the strait. The crisis has broader impacts on global trade, affecting 44% of global sulfur exports and 31% of urea production critical for fertilizers and food security.
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