President Donald Trump indicated on Wednesday that any renewed attacks on Iran would likely be brief, repeating his assertion that the United States has control over the critical Strait of Hormuz. His comments came after a fresh surge in fighting that had driven up energy prices and reignited concerns of a prolonged conflict. When asked about the potential duration of a bombing campaign, Trump told reporters that he did not anticipate it lasting "too long." Following these remarks, Brent crude prices saw a slight decrease, settling just above $95.
Trump's statements were made amidst escalating regional tensions, which stemmed from US-Israeli attacks on Iran that commenced on February 28, and Tehran's subsequent retaliatory strikes against Israel and US interests across the region. The US and Tehran had previously signed a memorandum of understanding on June 18 regarding freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, but its implementation has been stalled due to disagreements over security arrangements.
Separately, Trump claimed that US forces now dominate the waterway, stating, "We now control the Strait of Hormuz. We control it. Last night, we took out 28 boats, 28 ships." He further suggested changing the name of the strait to "TRUMP STRAIT" in a post on Truth Social. These assertions from Trump were made on September 3, 2026, and contributed to the easing of oil prices that had been impacted by the recent military actions. Brent crude had risen 0.92% to $95.52 a barrel after the strikes, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate for October added 0.60% to $90.76.
