Washington, Aug. 15 (SANA) U.S. President Donald Trump affirmed on Friday that the United States will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, warning Tehran of a significantly more powerful military response if it launches any new attacks in the region.
“The United States is in complete control of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News, noting that U.S. forces are enforcing what he described as a “steel wall” blockade on Iranian ports.
Escalating his rhetoric regarding the strategic waterway, which has seen surging tensions since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli-Iranian war, Trump added “Once we finish defeating Iran, I will soon be announcing that the Strait of Hormuz is United States territory.”
He pointed out that the U.S. blockade is costing Iran hundreds of millions of dollars a day in losses, adding that the sanctions imposed on Tehran are having a profound impact on the Iranian economy and significantly increasing the pressure on the country.
Last Tuesday, Trump asserted that the United States had cleared the Strait of Hormuz of mines, making it fully open to commercial shipping, declaring “The United States has 100 percent control over the Strait.”
Trump’s remarks come as maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains low, sparking concerns over global energy supplies amid oil prices that remain elevated compared to pre-war levels.
I.Z/MZ
