U.S. President Donald Trump is pictured during a meeting to sign an executive order about vaccines in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Aug. 10. AP-Yonhap
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States Navy has mine-swept the "entire" Strait of Hormuz, claiming that the crucial waterway is open and fully under U.S. control.
Trump made the remarks during a press availability at the White House as Tehran has reportedly said that the strait, a vital shipping route for oil, natural gas and other commodities, would remain closed until Washington agreed to its demands, including war reparations and the lifting of a U.S. naval blockade.
"It's open now. Look, the only one that has control of the Strait of Hormuz right now is the U.S. Navy," he said.
"We have a blockade that's been infallible. It's a steel wall," he added, noting that the blockade only targets ships traveling to and from Iran.
