Daily Express · Iran · 14 Aug 2026

Passive voice hides who attacked, the headline editorialises, and the ceasefire blame is one-sided.

/ 10 · article score

scored on 5 of 11 measures · thin coverage

The double standard

The article attributes the conflict's origin and ongoing disruption to Iran with named actors and active verbs, while the US-Israel initiation of the war is stated in a subordinate clause without scrutiny, creating an asymmetry in how each side's responsibility is framed.

How it builds, in Hormuz Strait stalemate paragraph

US-Israel war initiation buried in subordinate clause
which had been open before the US and Israel began the conflict in late February
Fact stated without elaboration, scrutiny, or attribution to any source
Iran's actions described with loaded, active language
Iran has continued to try to maintain its stranglehold on the Gulf channel
Named actor, active verb, pejorative noun ('stranglehold') applied editorially
Iran's conduct itemised in detail with active verbs
including demanding ships seek permission to transit, attacking vessels and threatening to impose charges
Three specific hostile acts listed with named actor and active verbs
Ceasefire collapse: no actor named for renewed fighting
An interim ceasefire deal collapsed in recent weeks after renewed fighting in the strait
Agentless passive; neither side named as responsible for renewed fighting
Trump's claim labelled 'outlandish' in headline
Trump in outlandish claim over Hormuz Strait as he touts success in Iran
Editorial adjective applied to Trump's position in headline; no equivalent label applied to Iran's positions

The same decision, both sides

Attribution of responsibility for starting the conflict

The US and Israel are named as having begun the conflict, but only in a subordinate clause with no further scrutiny or sourcing.

which had been open before the US and Israel began the conflict in late February

Iran's ongoing conduct is described with an active, named actor and a pejorative editorial noun, giving it far greater rhetorical weight.

Iran has continued to try to maintain its stranglehold on the Gulf channel

Level of detail given to each side's hostile acts

The US-Israel initiation of the war receives no itemisation of specific acts.

the US and Israel began the conflict in late February

Iran's hostile acts are itemised across three specific categories with active verbs.

demanding ships seek permission to transit, attacking vessels and threatening to impose charges

What a reader is left with. A reader is left with the impression that Iran is the primary driver of disruption and danger in the strait, because its actions are named, active, and itemised, while the US-Israel initiation of the underlying conflict is acknowledged only in passing and never subjected to the same level of detail or editorial scrutiny.

File a complaint

This article can be challenged under the Editors' Code of Practice, Clause 1 (Accuracy).

Amend the headline to remove the editorial characterisation "outlandish" and include a reference to the affected parties or the substantive dispute, for example: "Trump claims Hormuz Strait is 'US territory' as Iran and US dispute control of Gulf channel."
Append an editorial note to the article acknowledging that the sentence beginning "Iran has continued to try to maintain its stranglehold" presents Iranian conduct in isolation, and that the article's own text records the United States and Israel as having begun the conflict in late February.

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Aggressor framingHeadline analysisCeasefire framing

Trump in outlandish claim over Hormuz Strait as he touts success in Iran - 'US territory'

Trump in outlandish claim over Hormuz Strait as he touts success in Iran - 'US territory' Donald Trump claimed once again Iran has been defeated, despite tensions still simmering in the Middle East. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Antonio Scancariello , News Reporter 21:28, Fri, Aug 14, 2026 Updated: 22:34, Fri, Aug 14, 2026 Donald Trump delivered a speech in Long Island tonight (Image: GETTY) Donald Trump told a crowd tonight he'll be "declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States" pretty soon. Appearing at an event in Long Island tonight, the US President said during his speech: "Pretty soon I'll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States. True. "We have to blockade. No ships get through unless we want them to." Speaking to a cheering crowd, Mr Trump also said Iran had been "very badly defeated". The US President then mentioned the quick military action taken by the US in Venezuela, which saw the capture of then president Nicolas Maduro. He said: "And how about Venezuela? Venezuela was a one-day war." Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Get the latest news from around the world and more Subscribe Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy Trump in outlandish claim over Hormuz Strait as he touts success in Iran - 'US territory' Spain to shut down from 1pm to 6pm as Brits hit with new rules - £40,000 fines Mr Trump's comments to law enforcement on Long Island came as, earlier this week, oil prices pushed up once more, touching 90 dollars (£66) a barrel, with the US and Iran appearing to not make much progress towards a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz . The US President appeared to harden his stance on Monday, saying Tehran should pay reparations for those killed in attacks linked to the Islamic Republic as well as in domestic protests. He has also recently accused Iran of being “unbelievably duplicitous” in denying talks aimed at ending the conflict were being held. He also dismissed Iran’s claims to control the strategic Strait of Hormuz waterway as “their usual blather”. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Writing on Truth Social, he also added: “Nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through, unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished. Whether Iran wants to admit it or not, we are, in fact, talking of a solution to a problem that they have caused, for decades.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT On the other hand, Iran has continued to try to maintain its stranglehold on the Gulf channel, which had been open before the US and Israel began the conflict in late February, including demanding ships seek permission to transit, attacking vessels and threatening to impose charges. The US and Iran remain in a stalemate over the Strait of Hormuz. (Image: Getty) The disruption to trade through the waterway has driven up fuel and food prices. An interim ceasefire deal collapsed in recent weeks after renewed fighting in the strait, which has been a flashpoint in the war. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Sunday the sea route “will in no way return to the status it was before February 28”, when the war started. Addressing the media earlier today, Mr Trump also confirmed that the USS Abraham Lincoln would now be replaced by another aircraft carrier after a deployment that lasted more than 250 days. Donald Trump USA Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments

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