President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that the US Navy had full control over the Strait of Hormuz. However, Tehran continues to restrict traffic through the Strait.
“We have total control over the Strait of Hormuz. No ship can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy,” the President wrote on Thursday. “It is ‘Sealed up Tight,’ until such time as Iran is able to make a DEAL!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
The Strait of Hormuz is the only route in or out of the Persian Gulf, and was considered an international waterway before the US and Israel started an aggressive war against Iran in February. One of Iran’s opening moves in the conflict was to seize control of the Strait.
Tehran has restricted traffic through the Strait to vessels from friendly nations and requires ships to pay a toll. President Trump then imposed a blockade on vessels leaving Iranian ports. The US has seized five ships enforcing the blockade.
Trump says the blockade will remain in place until Iran signs a peace agreement with the US. Tehran asserted that the blockade must be lifted for discussions to begin. The President wrote on Truth Social that the Iranian government is too fragmented to negotiate with the US.
“Iran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is!” He continued, “They just don’t know! The infighting is between the ‘Hardliners,’ who have been losing BADLY on the battlefield, and the ‘Moderates,’ who are not very moderate at all (but gaining respect!), is CRAZY!”
In a separate post, the President said he gave the Navy the order to attack any Iranian ships that attempt to drop mines in the Strait. “I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be (Their naval ships are ALL, 159 of them, at the bottom of the sea!), that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz.” He added, “There is to be no hesitation. Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now. I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level!”
