As of September 11, 2026, the U.S. and Iran remain locked in a protracted conflict over the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran demanding full compliance with a June 2026 agreement before reopening the waterway, while the U.S. insists the strait is “open” despite ongoing hostilities.
The U.S.-Iran conflict over the Strait of Hormuz has entered its fifth month, with the war launched by the U.S. and Israel in February 2026—intended to last a few weeks—still far from over, according to Reuters. Iran, which effectively closed the strait in the opening days of the conflict, has demanded the U.S. lift its naval blockade, release frozen assets, and end military operations before agreeing to any reopening, according to parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Trump's Iran campaign echoes the post-9/11 'forever wars
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary, Mohsen Rezaei, revealed that Tehran is preparing specific terms for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including a temporary corridor through Omani and Iranian waters. This follows visits from mediators in Qatar, Oman, and Pakistan, who have pushed for a resolution. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has also stated that the strait will not reopen unless the U.S. lifts its blockade, compensates for war damages, and removes sanctions, as reported by Reuters.
The U.S. has rejected these conditions, with President Donald Trump declaring the strait “open” in a September 11, 2026, Oval Office address. Trump’s administration claims U.S. forces have cleared the strait of mines and that millions of barrels of oil are flowing through it daily. However, Iran accuses the U.S. of violating a June 2026 memorandum of understanding (MoU) that required the U.S. to ease sanctions and lift the blockade in exchange for Iran clearing mines and allowing free passage. The agreement expired on August 17, though it was abandoned by both sides weeks earlier.
Trump’s administration has continued military pressure on Iran, including air strikes on southern Iranian coastal areas and a naval blockade that has crippled Iran’s oil exports. These actions have driven up global oil prices, with Brent crude surging above $100 per barrel. Despite this, Iran has shown no sign of backing down, with its Houthi allies in Yemen intensifying attacks on Saudi Arabia and threatening regional trade routes, according to Reuters.
The US has made progress in reopening the Strait
Analysts warn the war risks becoming a “forever war” similar to the U.S. engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq. Sina Toossi of the Center for International Policy noted that Trump’s approach has broken a post-9/11 consensus against open-ended Middle East conflicts, potentially leaving his successor to inherit an entrenched U.S.-Iran confrontation via Reuters. Administration officials have defended the conflict, stating it is unlike the protracted post-9/11 engagements, which involved ground troops and higher casualties, as reported by Reuters.
The war has inflicted severe economic damage on both sides. Iran’s oil exports have plummeted from 1.85 million barrels per day to 255,000 barrels, while the U.S. has spent over $37.5 billion on military operations. U.S. gasoline prices have risen, and the conflict has destabilized the Middle East, with the Houthis launching attacks on Saudi oil facilities and threatening the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi condemned Trump’s recent tweet labeling the Strait of Hormuz as New U.S. Territory,
calling it a delusion that Iran would “correct”.
Trump’s administration has also faced criticism for its lack of an exit strategy. Analysts like Mona Yacoubian of the Center for Strategic and International Studies argue that the war is likely to be protracted with no clear victor, as Iran shows no sign of backing down and has demonstrated a willingness to escalate wherever it can. The U.S. has not yet met Iran’s conditions for reopening the strait, and diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain at an impasse, according to Reuters.
Iran says it will name its terms for reopening
Iran’s demands for the implementation of the June 2026 framework agreement have been reiterated by Ghalibaf, who stated that the waterway will remain closed for as long as the U.S. fails to honor its obligations. These obligations included lifting the naval blockade, releasing frozen assets, lifting oil sanctions and ending threats and military operations on all fronts,
as reported by Reuters. The 60-day deadline set out in June’s preliminary agreement for the two sides to reach a final peace deal, including on Iran’s nuclear programme, expired without resolution.
Meanwhile, Trump has continued to escalate rhetoric, posting a map of the Strait of Hormuz on his Truth Social platform labeled New U.S. Territory
on September 9, 2026. The Republican had previously claimed he would soon declare the strait a territory of the United States.
Iran swiftly criticized the post, with Gharibabadi stating, His delusion about the Strait of Hormuz will soon either be corrected, or we will correct the delusions of this delusional man,
as reported. U.S. officials, including White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly, have defended the administration’s actions, claiming Trump has possessed the courage to confront Iran’s nuclear program and cripple its economy via Reuters.
The stalemate has also strained regional alliances. Qatar’s prime minister held talks in Tehran on August 28, 2026, the third mediating state to visit Iran in a week, following Pakistan and Oman delegations. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the two sides discussed a temporary corridor through the strait and a joint project to clear mines from it, according to Reuters. Despite these efforts, no breakthrough has been achieved, and the conflict shows no signs of abating as both sides dig in for a prolonged confrontation.
