U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday made strong remarks on Truth Social amid escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that Iran is facing internal instability while asserting that the United States Navy has complete control over the strategic waterway.
In his post, Trump stated that:
“Iran is gripped by chaos over its leadership, with in-fighting between hardliners, whom he called battlefield failures and moderates gaining respect, leaving the nation unable to decide its leader. The United States Navy holds total control of the Strait of Hormuz… no ship can enter or leave without approval… it remains sealed up tight.”
“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. There is to be no hesitation.”
The remarks come during the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis, where U.S. forces have been maintaining operations in the region while Iran has also asserted control over parts of the waterway. According to updates from the US Central Command, operations are focused on ensuring safe navigation and preventing disruptions to international shipping.
Recent reports indicate that Iranian authorities have taken control of vessels in the strait, while incidents of firing and maritime confrontations have been recorded over the past few days. The situation remains fluid, with no clear confirmation on the status of any ceasefire or de-escalation efforts.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global shipping route, handling a significant share of the world’s oil supply. Ongoing tensions have impacted commercial shipping activity and contributed to volatility in global energy markets.