Trump Doubles Down on U.S. ‘Total Control’ of Hormuz: Iran Can Crumble Economically or Get ‘Blown Away’
“We have total control over the Hormuz Strait right now. They don’t have control. We have total control. We own it,” Trump told reporters Tuesday evening after returning from Ohio.
President Donald Trump doubled down Tuesday on his assertion that the United States has “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz, warning Iran could either continue buckling under mounting economic pressure or risk getting “blown away” if it challenges American forces.
The president argued that the balance of power in the Middle East has fundamentally shifted since the U.S.-Israeli campaign against the Islamic Republic began in February.
“We have a country that has been the bully of the Middle East for 50 years,” Trump said. “And they’re no longer the bully of the Middle East.”
Update:
Iran has rejected Trump’s claim that Washington has “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz, saying the critical waterway will remain closed until the US accepts its demands and changes its “behaviour”.
Donald Trump seems to be losing patience, saying that this is the last chance that they are in negotiations.
He criticised Iran earlier today in a Truth Social post, saying that the leaders were effectively lying, that every time he says they’re in talks, they are actually in talks, although the Iranians come out and say they’re not.
President Trump says he called off an attack against Iran and that a deal with Iran is “imminent,” claiming negotiations will begin on Monday
Trump: Iran talks ongoing, says ‘last chance’ for ‘good’ deal
- US President Donald Trump claims talks with Iran are ongoing, saying this is Tehran’s “last chance to sign a good document”.
- Earlier, Trump said an agreement with Iran was imminent and negotiations would begin on Monday.
- Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says a new Strait of Hormuz shipping route being discussed with Oman will be one path with entry and exit lanes. Regarding talks with the US, Baghaei said there are no plans to receive a delegation or send an Iranian one.
Trump says he will not let Iran charge for Hormuz transit
Asked whether Iran will be willing to “return to a fully free navigation” in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump says he is not going to let Iran impose fees.
“It has to be [free], I am not going to let them charge. If anybody is going to charge, we will charge, we are the ones … with a total control,” he said. “We have a thing called a blockade … No, no, there is not going to be charging. We are not talking about charging at all. There won’t be charging.”
Previously:
Iran attacks Kuwait, US urges citizens in region to ‘exercise caution’
- Kuwait‘s army says it detected and destroyed hostile drones in the country’s airspace, in what it described as an Iranian attack against several vital facilities.
- The commander of Iran’s top joint military command has said the US actions against Iran increasingly risk igniting widespread regional conflict, warning regional countries against being “consumed by the flames of war”.
- A tanker has been struck by an unknown projectile 11 nautical miles (equivalent to about 20km) northeast of Limah, Oman.
- Yemen’s Houthis say they forced eight Saudi ships to change course, without specifying when.
Iran war live: Iran says it has a plan to respond to any US attacks
Houthis deny plans to charge traffic through Bab al-Mandeb Strait