WASHINGTON, August 12. /TASS/. The United States fully controls the Strait of Hormuz and is ready to deliver strikes against Iran if the Islamic republic attempts to change the state of affairs in any way, US President Donald Trump said while answering questions from journalists at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington.
"We have total control over the Hormuz Strait right now. <...> We own it. And at some point, maybe they [Iran] will do something, and then they get blown away," he said.
The United States and Israel started a war against Iran on February 28. In June, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding calling for an immediate ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon. However, early on July 8, the United States renewed massive airstrikes on Iran, accusing Tehran of violating their previous agreements regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
On August 2, Trump said he had agreed to cancel the planned major strike against Iran to reach a deal with Tehran. According to him, Iran and the countries of the Middle East asked Washington to refrain from the attack, as the parties had agreed on the outlines of a future agreement. On August 6, Saudi TV channel Al Arabiya reported, citing a high-ranking source, that mediated consultations between Washington and Tehran have entered the final stage.
