Trump: The U.S. Controls the Strait of Hormuz, It’s Over for Iran

Photo: Flash90, social media

Trump: “The U.S. controls the Strait of Hormuz, it’s over for Iran”

C14 Desk, about an hour ago

The President of the United States referred to the secret operation to move oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz and wrote that so far “more than 200 commercial ships have passed safely through the strait.”

Trump added: “This successful effort is due to the fact that the United States of America controls the Strait of Hormuz, not Iran. Their military is defeated, and their economy is lost. It’s over for Iran!”

President Donald Trump revealed this evening, Wednesday, that over the past month he ordered the U.S. military to carry out a covert operation intended to ensure the safe passage of oil tankers and commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. According to him, the operation led to the transfer of more than 100 million barrels of oil through the strait to the global market, while more than 200 commercial ships completed their route safely.

Strait of Hormuz | Photo: Shutterstock

In a post on his social media platform, Trump claimed that “the United States of America controls the Strait of Hormuz, not Iran,” and added that the Iranian military is “defeated” and that the country’s economy is “lost.” The American president presented the operation as a major strategic success for Washington, and concluded with a sharp message to Tehran: “It’s over for Iran.”

Earlier, Trump issued another threat toward Iran, saying he had ordered the U.S. military to prepare for another powerful round of strikes that could take place as early as today. “What do you mean they’ll pay a price? We’ll attack them very hard. We hit them hard yesterday, and we’ll hit them today too,” the president said in a conversation with reporters at the White House.

Photo: The White House, Arab social media, Shutterstock

Trump claimed that Washington and Tehran were on the verge of signing a deal, but accused the Iranian leadership of deliberately wasting time. “We were very close to a deal, but they keep dragging us along and making fools of us. It took them too long to negotiate a deal that would have been great for them, now they’ll have to pay the price,” he wrote earlier in an official statement.

In an interview with Fox News, the president added that he is considering ordering strikes on strategic targets such as power plants and bridges. According to Trump, Iran’s military capabilities have been worn down to the bone: “A large part of their navy and air force no longer exists, they have been completely defeated. Iran is only talking, the bully of the Middle East is finished!”

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reinforced his remarks, saying: “It would not be wise for Iran to challenge us. The president wants a great agreement that will ensure Iran never obtains nuclear weapons.”

Masoud Pezeshkian | Photo: Shutterstock

The president linked the current escalation to the downing of an American Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz, an incident that led to overnight exchanges of blows. Trump disclosed details of the incident: “We were very lucky. A bomb got stuck in the helicopter and did not explode. The helicopter was already on fire, and the two pilots were very skilled but also lucky.” He clarified that given the damage to the “outstanding” aircraft, the United States has every right to respond militarily.

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released footage of paratrooper forces in live-fire training in the Middle East, and reported the completion of a three-wave operation that struck Iranian air defense systems and radar sites threatening shipping routes.

Aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln | Photo: U.S. Central Command

As has been evident so far, Tehran is refusing to be moved by the threats. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stated that “any aggression will receive a firm and immediate response.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian tried to project resilience alongside a desire for diplomacy: “We must move out of the state of ‘neither war nor peace.’ If they want to attack, we will not fold. Iran will not surrender.” However, the conservative newspaper Kayhan, which is close to the Supreme Leader, took a much harsher line and called for activating the “Hormuz trigger mechanism,” using control of the strait to halt the flow of global energy as leverage against sanctions.

At the same time, a Qatari mediation team arrived in Tehran today in a desperate attempt to revive the talks and prevent an all-out war.

Ships near the Strait of Hormuz | Photo: Reuters

Amid the flurry of statements, Trump also addressed warnings from Turkish President Erdogan regarding Israeli strikes in Syria and Lebanon. Trump rejected the possibility of a clash between Israel and Turkey: “It won’t happen as long as I’m president. Erdogan is my friend, he respects me and I respect him. If I heard about such a threat, I would call him and make sure everything is worked out.”

Despite the harsh tone Trump is trying to project, skepticism is being heard in Israel. Military analyst Noam Amir argued that the many contradictory statements have eroded American deterrence: “A statement by the president no longer shakes the markets and doesn’t move anyone. That’s what happens when you give four different statements in one day.” Political analyst Tamir Morag added that “Trump is seen as not credible in the eyes of the Iranians, and Israel and the United States are not rushing to escalate for real.”

Iran, Donald Trump, oil tanker, Strait of Hormuz