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Iranian Diplomats Mock Trump's Claim of Hormuz Control
Trump says the Strait of Hormuz could be controlled by him "and the ayatollah."
Mar. 24, 2026 at 5:25am
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Iranian diplomats have reacted with ridicule to recent comments made by former U.S. President Donald Trump, in which he claimed that the Strait of Hormuz could be jointly controlled by the U.S. and Iran "by me and the ayatollah." The Iranian Embassy in Saudi Arabia responded by presenting an illustration of a child's toy steering wheel attached to a car's passenger seat, hinting at Trump's apparent delusions of control over the strategic waterway.
Why it matters
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global chokepoint for oil shipments, and control over it has long been a source of tension between the U.S. and Iran. Trump's comments suggest a shift in his administration's previously hardline stance towards Iran, raising questions about the future of U.S.-Iran relations and the potential for de-escalation in the region.
The details
During a visit to Florida, Trump stated that the "Iran deal is getting closer" and that passage through the Strait of Hormuz could be jointly controlled by the U.S. and Iran, "perhaps by me. By me and the ayatollah, whoever their new ayatollah is." The Iranian Embassy in Saudi Arabia responded by presenting an illustration mocking Trump's claim, depicting a child's toy steering wheel attached to the passenger seat of a car, suggesting Trump's delusions of control over the strategic waterway.
- On March 24, 2026, Trump made the comments about controlling the Strait of Hormuz during a visit to West Palm Beach, Florida.
The players
Donald Trump
Former President of the United States who made the controversial comments about controlling the Strait of Hormuz with Iran.
Iranian Embassy in Saudi Arabia
The Iranian diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia that responded to Trump's comments with a mocking illustration.
What they’re saying
“The strait will open very soon if negotiations with Iran are successful. Ship passage through Hormuz will be jointly controlled by the US and Iran. Perhaps by me. By me and the ayatollah, whoever their new ayatollah is.”
— Donald Trump, Former U.S. President
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident
The takeaway
Trump's comments about jointly controlling the Strait of Hormuz with Iran's leadership represent a significant shift from his administration's previous hardline stance towards the country, raising questions about the future of U.S.-Iran relations and the potential for de-escalation in the region.
