US-Iran War Update: Tensions Persist as Hormuz Dispute Deepens

August 13, 2026 — The conflict between the United States and Iran remains unresolved, with the strategic Strait of Hormuz at the centre of the latest confrontation. While direct strikes between the two sides have reportedly paused in recent days, negotiations over the waterway remain deadlocked and both Washington and Tehran are making competing claims about control of the crucial shipping route.

Trump Claims U.S. Has “Total Control” of Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz and suggested Washington could decide to retain that control.

Iran has strongly rejected the claim. Iranian officials continue to insist that Tehran controls the waterway and that its reopening will depend on Iran's conditions being met.

The competing claims highlight how far apart the two sides remain despite diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions.

Iran and U.S. Talks Remain Deadlocked

Diplomatic efforts have continued through intermediaries, with Oman playing an important role in discussions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

However, there is still no confirmed comprehensive agreement between Washington and Tehran. Iran has also disputed descriptions of the discussions as direct peace negotiations with the United States.

Earlier hopes of a breakthrough raised expectations that shipping through the Strait could gradually return to normal. Those expectations have since weakened as both sides maintain competing demands.

Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy corridors. Disruption to shipping through the waterway has created major concerns for oil markets, fuel prices and global trade.

Reuters reported Thursday that traders and policymakers are increasingly concerned about whether global oil inventories can withstand a prolonged disruption caused by the US-Iran conflict.

Shipping traffic through the waterway has fallen significantly, adding to concerns about energy supplies and transportation costs.

Oil Prices Remain Under Pressure

Despite the geopolitical tensions, oil prices fell on Thursday as concerns about weaker global demand and rising U.S. crude inventories outweighed some of the supply fears caused by the conflict.

Brent crude was reported at about $86.78 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate traded around $80.93. Reuters also reported that U.S. crude inventories increased by 17.4 million barrels.

However, continued uncertainty surrounding Hormuz means energy markets remain vulnerable to sudden price movements.

What Happens Next?

The immediate focus is on whether diplomats can reach an arrangement that allows commercial shipping to resume more normally.

A successful agreement could ease pressure on global energy markets and reduce the risk of a wider regional confrontation. Failure to reach an agreement, however, could prolong the disruption and increase economic pressure on countries dependent on Middle Eastern energy supplies.

For now, the conflict remains unresolved, the Strait of Hormuz remains heavily restricted, and Washington and Tehran continue to disagree over who controls the strategic waterway.

Key Takeaways

🇺🇸 Trump says the U.S. has “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz.

🇮🇷 Iran rejects Washington's claim and says the waterway remains under Iranian control.

🤝 Diplomatic efforts involving Oman continue, but negotiations remain difficult.

🚢 Shipping traffic through Hormuz remains severely disrupted.

🛢️ Oil markets continue to monitor developments closely.

🌍 A prolonged crisis could have wider consequences for global trade, fuel prices and inflation.

Disclaimer: The situation is developing rapidly, and claims made by the parties to the conflict may differ. This article reflects information available on August 13, 2026 and may change as new developments emerge.