New York, August 19: President Donald Trump has unveiled his plans for controlling the Hormuz Strait, a crucial global energy supply route. He shared a map on Truth Social, labeling it as ‘new American territory.’
This announcement came just a day after the expiration of a memorandum of understanding with Iran. Trump stated, “The Hormuz Strait is open and operational. All mines have been removed or destroyed.”
Facing domestic pressure due to rising prices linked to the Hormuz crisis, Trump also asserted that the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports is fully implemented and effective.
However, various agencies monitoring shipping in the Strait report that maritime traffic has not yet returned to normal levels. Attacks on vessels continued on Tuesday, with a British monitor indicating that an unknown projectile struck a bulk carrier transiting through the Strait, causing damage and injuries to the crew.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported a similar incident on Monday, advising vessels to navigate with caution.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Qasim Gharibabadi, dismissed Trump’s claims of control over the Strait as a “fantasy delusion,” asserting that such objectives cannot be achieved through social media posts.
According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that the Strait will not be opened until their conditions are met. On Monday, Trump threatened Oman, warning of military action if it interfered with his plans for the Strait.
In an interview with Fox News, he said, “If Oman gets in the way, we will bomb them.”
Iran claims to be close to finalizing an agreement with Oman that would allow access to the Strait, with entry routes controlled by Iran and exit routes managed by Oman.
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