An effort for peace or a drop in the price of oil? Donald Trump stated on Saturday that the United States has started “the process of clearing the Strait of Hormuz” at a time when several American media outlets reported that at least two US Navy ships had crossed the passage controlled by Iran on the same day. Addressing reporters at the White House, the US president confirmed a mine-clearing operation in the Strait of Hormuz. “We have completely defeated Iran,” he also emphasized.
“We will see what happens: maybe they will reach an agreement, maybe not – it doesn’t matter. From an American perspective, we are winning,” added Donald Trump. The two ships operated as part of “a broader mission to ensure that the strait is completely cleared of marine mines previously laid by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards,” stated Centcom in a statement on X.
“We are now beginning the process of clearing the Strait of Hormuz as a favor to countries around the world, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, and many others,” the US president wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“Incredibly, they lack the courage or will to do the job themselves,” he assured in his usual provocative style. According to Axios, citing a US official, several US Navy ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.
An operation aimed at boosting confidence for commercial ships to subsequently pass through the strait, as reported by Axios, always well-informed.
The Wall Street Journal later specified that these ships were two missile-launching destroyers of the US Navy, according to three US officials.
However, a senior Iranian military official, quoted by state television, denied reports that US ships had crossed the strait.
Navigation remains obstructed
In his message on Truth Social, Donald Trump also criticized the media for claiming that Iran is winning the war against the United States, “when in reality, everyone knows they are LOSING, and losing BIG.”
“The only thing in their favor is the threat of a ship possibly hitting one of their naval mines,” he acknowledged, while claiming that “all 28 of their mine-laying ships lie at the bottom of the sea” since the US strikes.
Centcom’s announcement came at the start of peace talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan, where the issue of traffic in the strait holds significant importance.
Navigation remains impeded in this strategic maritime route for oil and global trade, virtually blocked by Iran since the start of the war, even though its reopening was a condition for the ceasefire.
“New passage”
“Today we have started the process to establish a new passage, and we will soon share this secure route with the maritime industry to encourage the free flow of commerce,” affirmed US Admiral Brad Cooper, Centcom’s chief, in the statement. “Additional US forces, including underwater drones, will join clearing efforts in the coming days,” added the admiral.
A few hours earlier on his Truth Social platform, Donald Trump claimed that the United States had begun “the process of clearing the Strait of Hormuz.”
This operation presented as a “favor for countries around the world, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, and many others,” was highlighted by the US president.
“Incredibly, they lack the courage or will to do the job themselves,” he assured.
Donald Trump also criticized the media for claiming that Iran is winning the war against the United States, “when in reality, everyone knows they are LOSING, and losing BIG.”
“The only thing in their favor is the threat of a ship possibly hitting one of their naval mines,” he acknowledged, while claiming that “all 28 of their mine-laying ships lie at the bottom of the sea” since the US strikes.
Without providing details, the US president also asserted that “empty tankers from many countries are all heading towards the United States of America to LOAD up on oil.”
