Trump Says No Ship Moves Without US Navy Approval

Trump posted the statement on Thursday on Truth Social, writing:

"Iran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is! They just don’t know! The infighting is between the ‘Hardliners,’ who have been losing BADLY on the battlefield, and the ‘Moderates,’ who are not very moderate at all (but gaining respect!), is CRAZY! We have total control over the Strait of Hormuz. No ship can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy. It is ‘Sealed up Tight,’ until such time as Iran is able to make a DEAL!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP"

Brent crude prices spiked on April 23 as the U.S. blockade, disrupts roughly 20% of global oil trade.

President #TRUMP declared on April 23, 2026, that the U.S. Navy has sealed the Strait of Hormuz pending an Iran deal.

U.S. forces reportedly seized another Iranian-linked oil tanker connected to smuggling operations. Trump separately ordered the Navy to shoot without hesitation at any small boats laying mines in the Strait, and announced that mine-sweeping efforts had been tripled.