U.S. President Trump said oil shipments were continuing through the Strait of Hormuz and that 24 tankers had passed through the strait overnight.
Trump made the remarks while answering reporters’ questions about Iran after a signing ceremony in the Oval Office.
Tanker traffic through the strait
Arguing that the Strait of Hormuz was open and under U.S. control, Trump said, “We moved 24 tankers through the strait last night. We are moving tankers through constantly.”
Trump said the strait’s being open did not mean military operations had ended, and claimed that nothing could pass through to Iran. He also said that a significant amount of oil passed through the strait every day and was distributed around the world, adding that the passage of tankers was important to them.
No plans to engage with Iran
Asked about the possibility of returning to negotiations with Iran soon, Trump said they did not want to speak with the country. He also said they had no intention of holding talks or taking any other step.
Trump claimed that Iran was facing serious economic difficulties and that soldiers’ salaries could not be paid. He also alleged that Iran’s military capacity had been largely destroyed.