TRUMP SAYS NO IRAN TALKS AS HORMUZ STATUS IS DISPUTED

Developing story: U.S., Iranian, Omani and shipping-data updates may change the status of Hormuz transit and the route plan.

President Donald Trump said the United States has no talks planned with Iran but insisted the Strait of Hormuz is open, directly contradicting Tehran’s statement that the waterway remains shut and leaving shippers without a clear political signal on whether normal transit can resume. The Associated Press reported the remarks Tuesday as the post-deadline crisis around the strait deepened.

Trump also said the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains in force while posting a map depicting the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi appeared to respond online, warning that Trump’s position on the strait would be corrected. The exchange turned a maritime dispute into a public sovereignty argument over one of the world’s most important energy routes.

The facts on the water are more cautious than either political claim. AP reported that confirmed ship crossings through Hormuz fell 19.5 percent last week to 95 transits, with only three vessels making it through Sunday, according to Kpler data. The ships used an Iranian-designated route, while no crossings were recorded through Omani routes.

That traffic pattern suggests Hormuz is neither fully open nor fully closed in a simple sense. Some vessels are still moving, but commercial confidence remains low. Shipowners, insurers and buyers must decide whether the route is safe enough to use, whether escorts are needed and whether cargoes should be delayed or rerouted.

The disagreement comes after the 60-day negotiating period tied to the June U.S.-Iran framework expired without a final deal. Iran says the strait will not reopen under normal terms until the United States meets its demands. Washington says freedom of navigation must be restored and has maintained blockade pressure on Iranian ports.

Oman remains caught in the middle. Iran and Oman say they are nearing a plan to manage shipping traffic through the strait, but AP reported that the Trump administration opposes parts of the yet-to-be-announced arrangement, including joint Iranian-Omani management of an exit route and voluntary fees from vessels. Trump has also threatened Oman if it obstructs U.S. aims.

The dispute matters because Hormuz carried about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies before the war. Even partial disruption can raise energy costs, widen insurance spreads and add inflation pressure in countries far from the Gulf.

What is confirmed is that Trump said no talks are planned and described Hormuz as open, while Iran maintains that it remains shut and shipping data show sharply reduced traffic. What remains unresolved is whether the Iran-Oman route plan can restore confidence or whether political claims over the strait become another trigger for escalation.

Fact-check date: August 19, 2026. Article type: News. Sources: Associated Press; Reuters; Kpler. Developing note: U.S., Iranian, Omani and shipping-data updates may change the status of Hormuz transit and the route plan.