U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States has “100 percent” control over the Strait of Hormuz and is preventing vessels bound for Iran from passing through the waterway.
Responding to a reporter’s question at the White House, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz is currently open, but only vessels authorized by the United States are permitted to pass through.
He added that vessels traveling to Iran would not be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said the situation is “a little complicated” because, according to him, Iran sometimes deploys naval mines in the strait. However, he claimed that U.S. forces detect and neutralize them.
He further claimed that U.S. forces have carried out mine-clearing operations throughout the Strait of Hormuz and that the strategically important maritime route is now fully under U.S. control.
The U.S. president also said that Iran still has the ability to create problems, but, in his view, the country is facing severe economic difficulties. He claimed that Tehran is struggling to pay the salaries of its soldiers and is also under pressure from high inflation.
Trump described Iran as “completely defeated” and emphasized that Washington is closely monitoring the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
