President Donald Trump continued to maintain that the US is in complete command of the Strait of Hormuz while questioning Iran’s trustworthiness. The remarks come as the strategic waterway remains a flashpoint in the ongoing war.
Donald Trump talks about Iran and Strait of Hormuz amid clashes
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Donald Trump painted a picture of American naval dominance despite the ongoing war that has disrupted global energy flows. “We totally control the Strait of Hormuz. We have control over it; nobody else, only us,” he said. “Our navy is unbelievable, and things going great for our country.”
The president dismissed any suggestion that diplomatic relations with Tehran carried weight. “I don’t trust Iran. Why — are you saying I trust Iran!? I’m the last person to trust Iran.” Further making a claim about the nation, “They’ve lied to me constantly. We have total control over the Hormuz Strait right now. They don’t have control. We have total control. We own it.”
Tensions have simmered since the US-Israeli military operation against Iran kicked off in late February. The Strait’s closure continues to choke international supply chains, and negotiators have yet to secure a final deal to end the fighting.
Trump coupled his territorial claim with a stark warning. The president continued to threaten to destroy Iran if it escalates the war further. “At some point, maybe they’ll do something and then get blown away,” he remarked. “But right now, we’re in a very good position.”
The president cast Iran as a diminished regional force, saying the country “has been a bully of the Middle East for 50 years — really 51, if you think about it.” He also added a jab about the shifting timeline, stating, “We’ve been saying 47 for four years, and they’re no longer the bully of the Middle East.”
Presently, Trump’s comments reinforce Washington’s hardline posture as the Strait of Hormuz remains a contingency in the war with Iran.
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on Mandatory.
