Waltz says Trump took away ‘lever’ from Iran with Strait of Hormuz blockade
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, detailing US strategy regarding Iran, said that President Donald Trump has removed Iran’s economic influence through the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Waltz stressed that Iran must stop supporting terror and abandon its nuclear ambitions in order to return to normalcy. He noted the strong US military presence, which is forcing Iran to engage in direct peace talks.
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The United States is pushing a new UN Security Council resolution targeting Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz as the administration looks to bolster its ongoing maritime campaign with international support.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said on Monday the effort is designed to hold Iran accountable for mining in international waters, endangering global shipping and attempting to disrupt one of the world’s most vital trade routes.
“The President and Secretary Rubio have directed us to come to the Security Council with full cooperation and to draft a resolution with Bahrain and the GCC countries,” Waltz said during a press conference. “We are working on a parallel effort in the Security Council that is separate and clearly related to Project Freedom.”
“This resolution would hold Iran accountable for its gross violations of international law,” he said, “including requiring Tehran to stop laying sea mines, disclose their locations, and work with the United Nations to establish humanitarian corridors used by dozens of UN agencies to deliver aid globally.”
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US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz speaks during a UN Security Council meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York City on February 28, 2026, following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran. (Heather Khalifa/Reuters)
The diplomatic push comes as the US military moved on Monday to secure commercial shipping through the strait under President Donald Trump’s Project Freedom. US Central Command confirmed that US forces sank six Iranian small boats, posing a threat to the ships, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire and the ongoing risks to global energy flows.
Waltz framed this effort as part of a broader effort to set a global precedent.
“We cannot set a standard that if two countries have a conflict… you can impose collective punishment on the economies of the rest of the world,” he said.
Asked by Fox News Digital about the broader implications of Iran’s actions, Waltz said the US is working to ensure international waterways cannot be weaponized.
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The United States is pushing a new UN Security Council resolution targeting Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz. (AP photo)
“You cannot start throwing sea mines into the sea indiscriminately to create suspicion and fear in the international maritime community,” he said. “And you certainly can’t look at it as a revenue source… No country has the right to punish the rest of the world as part of a conflict.”
He also pointed to the humanitarian damage caused by the crisis, saying thousands of civilian seafarers are trapped in the rising tensions.
Waltz said, “These are captains, engineers, cooks, deckhands…they had no role in this conflict. They should not be forced to suffer.” He said the administration is emphasizing the humanitarian aspect of ensuring safe passage and aid delivery.
Fox News Digital also asked whether the US and its partners should look beyond securing the strait and consider long-term structural solutions to bypassing it altogether.
“I know our Gulf partners and allies are seriously considering this,” Waltz said, referencing existing infrastructure such as Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline and export routes through the Gulf of Oman.
“I know they’re clearly considering additional options to diversify their paths and diversify their economies,” he said.
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A woman walks past a billboard in Vanak Square in northern Tehran, Iran, on April 16, 2026, showing a military hand holding the Strait of Hormuz with Persian text that reads, “Forever in Iran’s hands,” “Trump can do nothing,” “Control of the Strait of Hormuz will belong to Iran forever.” (Vahid Salemi/AP)
While the US military effort is focused on immediate stabilization, including guiding ships and stopping Iranian harassment, Waltz stressed that the UN resolution is aimed at addressing broader international implications and preventing similar crises in the future.
Despite the pressure, questions remain whether Russia and China will support the measure after a previous attempt in April failed to pass.
Waltz said the current proposal is limited in scope and focuses exclusively on clear violations of international law, which he argues should be less likely to lead to protests.
Fox News Digital contacted the Iranian Mission to the United Nations for comment.
