Washington, August 20: U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a warning about imposing strict sanctions on Iran amid ongoing tensions in the Hormuz Strait. Additionally, he expressed frustration towards South Korea for refusing to assist Washington in the region.
When asked about potential new measures against Tehran, Trump stated at the White House, “We have options available to impose sanctions. We have the capability to enforce very tough restrictions. Let’s see what happens next.”
He downplayed the future significance of the Hormuz Strait, arguing that increased energy production in the U.S. and new supply routes have reduced global reliance on this strategic waterway.
Trump noted that ships are currently passing through the Strait, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and serves as a crucial route for global energy shipments. He remarked, “The Strait is open right now. Many ships are passing through, but people are not reporting it. There may be a slight decrease in traffic at some point.”
The President added, “I believe the Hormuz Strait is not as important now as it once was.”
Furthermore, Trump criticized South Korea for its refusal to assist in securing the Strait. He expressed dissatisfaction with South Korea’s response when the U.S. sought help in safeguarding this vital route, especially since they receive 60% of their oil from there.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, “I was not happy when South Korea said they were not interested in helping us in the Hormuz Strait.”
He also linked South Korea’s stance on Hormuz to concerns over large-scale military exercises on the Korean Peninsula. He stated that conducting such exercises was inappropriate while trying to maintain working relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
When asked if denuclearization remains his goal in resuming talks with Kim, Trump declined to answer directly. He said, “I don’t want to talk about that, but I have a good relationship with Kim Jong-un.”
Trump compared his relationship with the North Korean leader to those of previous U.S. presidents, claiming that this personal rapport has made America and its Asian allies safer.
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