US and Iran trade claims over Strait of Hormuz control as data diverges

September 3, 2026 at 08:38 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The United States and Iran are making competing claims about control of the Strait of Hormuz, with Washington citing record tanker transits and Tehran insisting the waterway remains closed except to pre-approved vessels. US officials reported 40 commercial ships carrying 18 million barrels passed through on Tuesday under military escort, while Iran's parliament speaker said Iranian forces remain in complete control and will not allow the strait to be opened.

Key Facts

Two US officials told CNN that 40 commercial ships carrying 18 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz under US military escort on Tuesday, a new wartime record.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said at least 10 million barrels were getting through the strait each day, with between 15 million and 17 million on Tuesday.
Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Tuesday that Iranian forces remain in complete control of the strait and will not allow it to be opened.
Before the war began, an average of around 100 ships and 20 million barrels of oil passed through the strait daily; since March the overall average has fallen to seven vessels, according to PortWatch.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed two oil tankers hit mines and were disabled while trying to cross an illegal route in the strait.

Competing Claims

Washington claims the strait is open and that dozens of ships carrying millions of barrels of oil are passing through each day. US President Donald Trump claimed last month that the US was in total control of the waterway, through which one-fifth of the world's oil and gas is shipped during peacetime. Iran says the strait remains under its control and is closed except to pre-approved vessels using its designated channels. Iran has warned that other ships attempting to transit risk being targeted.

Shipping Data

The US says shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has significantly increased in recent weeks. Trump said on Monday that the US Navy was helping some 30 ships pass through Hormuz every night. US CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper claimed last week that the US military had cleared Hormuz's transit lanes of sea mines. According to figures from PortWatch, the overall average has fallen to seven vessels since March.

Iranian Response

Iran has acknowledged that some vessels are getting through the strait, but insists it remains in control of the waterway. Ghalibaf accused the US of giving ships false guarantees about their ability to cross a southern route in Hormuz, warning that ships that try to do so would be targeted. The following day, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed two oil tankers had hit mines and were disabled while trying to cross an illegal route in the strait.