Trump Claims Iran War ‘Over’ While Keeping Strait of Hormuz Blockade in Place

Donald Trump has declared the Iran war “terminated” in a letter to congressional leaders, aiming to dodge the 60-day War Powers Resolution deadline that requires congressional approval for ongoing military operations. The declaration hinges on a legally contested claim that a ceasefire on April 7 ended hostilities. But the reality on the ground tells a different story.

Despite Trump’s announcement, US warships are maintaining a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the blockade will remain until Iran allows “freedom of navigation” through the strait. This ongoing military pressure contradicts Trump’s claim that the war is over and keeps tens of thousands of American service members exposed to danger.

Democratic leaders swiftly condemned the move. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the conflict an illegal war, while Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, pointed out that the blockade itself constitutes an act of war under international law. Shaheen highlighted the risk to US troops who remain deployed in the region despite the president’s claims.

Iran reportedly made a fresh peace proposal through Pakistani intermediaries late Thursday, but Trump dismissed it, saying Iran’s demands were unacceptable and describing Tehran’s leadership as fractured. Meanwhile, the US Treasury warned shippers that paying Iranian tolls for Hormuz passage could trigger sanctions, escalating economic pressure alongside military posturing.

The situation remains volatile as Israel continues airstrikes in southern Lebanon, killing at least 10 people, while Hezbollah retaliates with rockets and drones against northern Israel. This ongoing violence persists despite a ceasefire agreed in mid-April, underscoring the fragile and dangerous state of the region.

Trump’s maneuver to declare the war “terminated” without Congressional approval is yet another example of executive overreach, sidestepping constitutional checks on war powers. It also reflects a pattern of using legalistic technicalities to obscure ongoing military aggression and avoid accountability.

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is a flashpoint with global implications, threatening international shipping and risking escalation into broader conflict. The administration’s refusal to lift it while claiming the war is over exposes the gap between rhetoric and reality—and the dangerous games being played with American lives and global stability.