US President Donald Trump stated on Monday, August 10, that the United States has conducted mine-clearing operations across the entire Strait of Hormuz and maintains “100 percent” control over the waterway. He emphasized that the strait is currently open, but transit by ships remains strictly subject to US permission, with vessels bound for Iran barred from passing.
Speaking to reporters at the White House regarding the status of the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said: “As you’ve probably heard, we’ve cleared mines across the entire strait. You might not have heard this. We hold 100 percent control over the strait.”
In response to a query regarding when the Strait of Hormuz would reopen, he noted that the waterway “is open right now,” adding: “The only force controlling the Strait of Hormuz is the United States Navy.”
The US President explained that vessels approved by Washington may enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz, but ships attempting to head toward Iran will be denied passage.
Addressing the risk of naval mines, Trump remarked: “It’s a bit complicated because they sometimes lay mines, and we find those mines.” He reiterated that the US has completed mine-sweeping operations throughout the strait.
