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Waltz says Trump stripped Iran of ‘leverage’ with Strait of Hormuz blockade
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, recently outlined the U.S. approach towards Iran, highlighting a significant shift in economic power dynamics due to President Donald Trump’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Waltz stressed that for Iran to return to international acceptance, it must halt its support for terrorism and discontinue its nuclear programs. He underscored the robust presence of U.S. military forces in the region, which is pressing Iran towards considering direct peace talks.
The United States is currently spearheading the creation of a new United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at addressing Iran’s activities in the Strait of Hormuz. This initiative is part of a broader effort by the administration to bolster its maritime operations with international support.
On Monday, Mike Waltz, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, stated that the resolution seeks to hold Iran accountable for its actions, which include mining international waters, threatening global shipping lanes, and attempting to disturb one of the world’s most vital trade corridors.
“Under directives from the president and Secretary Rubio, we’ve been tasked to engage with the Security Council, collaborating closely with Bahrain and other GCC nations,” Waltz announced during a press conference. “This resolution is part of a separate but related initiative to Project Freedom, aiming to address these pressing issues at the Security Council level.”
Waltz further explained that the proposed resolution would demand accountability from Iran for its overt breaches of international law. Measures would include requiring Iran to cease laying sea mines, disclose their positions, and cooperate with the United Nations to create humanitarian corridors, which are vital for dozens of U.N. agencies distributing global aid.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting at U.N. headquarters in New York City on Feb. 28, 2026, following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. (Heather Khalifa/Reuters)
The diplomatic push comes as U.S. forces moved Monday to secure commercial shipping through the strait under President Donald Trump’s Project Freedom. U.S. Central Command confirmed American forces sank six Iranian small boats threatening vessels, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire and the ongoing risks to global energy flows.
Waltz framed the effort as part of a broader push to set a global precedent.
“We can’t set a standard that if two countries have a conflict … you can then embark on collective punishment for the economies of the rest of the world,” he said.
When asked by Fox News Digital about the broader implications of Iran’s actions, Waltz said the U.S. is working to ensure that international waterways cannot be weaponized.
The United States is advancing a new United Nations Security Council resolution targeting Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz. (AP Photo)
“You can’t start indiscriminately just throwing sea mines out into the ocean to sow doubt and fear into the international maritime community,” he said. “And you certainly can’t see it as a revenue source … no country has a right to punish the rest of the world as part of a conflict.”
He also pointed to the human toll of the crisis, noting that thousands of civilian mariners have been caught in the escalating tensions.
“These are captains, engineers, cooks, deckhands … they had no part in this conflict. They shouldn’t be forced to suffer,” Waltz said, adding that the administration is emphasizing the humanitarian aspect of ensuring safe passage and aid delivery.
Fox News Digital also asked whether the U.S. and its partners should look beyond securing the strait and consider long-term structural solutions to bypass it altogether.
“I know our Gulf partners and allies are seriously thinking through that,” 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 looking at additional alternatives to frankly diversify their pathways and diversify their economies,” he added.
A woman walks past a billboard showing a military hand holding the Strait of Hormuz with Farsi text which reads, “In Iran’s hands forever,” “Trump couldn’t do a damn thing,” “The control of Strait of Hormuz will be Iran’s forever,” in Vanak Square, in northern Tehran, Iran, on April 16, 2026. (Vahid Salemi/AP)
While the U.S. military effort is focused on immediate stabilization, including guiding vessels and deterring Iranian harassment, Waltz stressed that the U.N. resolution is intended to address the broader international implications and prevent similar crises in the future.
Despite the push, questions remain about whether Russia and China will support the measure after a previous attempt in April failed to pass.
Waltz said the current proposal is narrower in scope and focused specifically on clear violations of international law, which he argued should make opposition less likely.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Iranian mission to the U.N. fo comment.