Trump threatens Strait of Hormuz control as Iran blockade persists

The United Arab Emirates has accused Iran of striking two vessels tied to its state oil company in the Strait of Hormuz, heightening tensions in a waterway that carries a fifth of global oil shipments. The claims come as Vice President JD Vance stated that the Trump administration's top priority remains keeping oil and gas prices low for American consumers, with preventing an Iranian nuclear weapon listed as a secondary goal.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said new sanctions would soon isolate Iran economically in ways never seen before. Iranian officials, for their part, declared they hold decisive control over the strait and have kept it closed to pressure Washington into lifting a naval blockade, ending sanctions, and meeting other demands. President Trump has responded by threatening to designate the strait a U.S. territory once Iran is defeated, though talks have produced little progress six months into the fighting.

The war's demands are showing on American forces. The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier, now at sea for nearly nine months, has seen multiple reported suicide attempts and sailors losing 20 to 30 pounds from limited food and poor water quality. Families of crew members on the Lincoln and USS Tripoli described inadequate mental health support and said the conditions have left some sailors emaciated. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called reports of the hardships misrepresentations, while Trump dismissed family concerns by saying the deployment was not nearly long enough.

To sustain operations, the Navy is shifting the USS George Washington from the Pacific to relieve the Lincoln. That move leaves no U.S. carrier in the western Pacific at a time when China has increased pressure on the Philippines in the South China Sea and continues testing resolve around Taiwan. Analysts note the redeployment runs counter to earlier administration statements that the Pacific should remain the main focus after the Western Hemisphere.

Trump has described the campaign as a major success, pointing to reduced Iranian missile and drone stocks and damaged manufacturing. Yet the stated aims of regime change, elimination of Iran's ballistic capabilities, and destruction of its nuclear program remain unmet, and the administration has avoided deeper strikes or a ground invasion. Iranian leaders appear to be betting they can simply wait out the current U.S. president.

Vance's emphasis on affordable energy reflects voter concerns over prices that have already hit new lows in domestic reserves. The administration's sanctions push aims to choke Iran's finances further, but the strait remains contested and global energy markets stay sensitive to any prolonged closure.