The debate over U.S. influence in the Middle East intensified following comments made by Richard Haass, a veteran diplomat and president of the Council on Foreign Relations. During an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Haass directly addressed recent statements made by President Trump, who had claimed that the United States exercises “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz.

Haass rejected the President’s characterization, stating clearly that “no one’s in total control” of the waterway. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global chokepoint for oil shipments, and its security has long been a focal point of international geopolitical tension. While the President’s rhetoric suggests a high degree of U.S. dominance and strategic oversight in the region, Haass’s assessment emphasizes the complex, multi-national nature of the area, where various regional actors and international shipping interests intersect. The disagreement highlights a fundamental divide between the administration’s projection of military and strategic supremacy and the perspective of foreign policy experts who view the region as too volatile and decentralized for any one power to claim absolute command.