On Monday afternoon, President Trump stated during a phone interview with CBS that the war between the United States and Iran is nearing its end and that the U.S. is considering controlling the Strait of Hormuz.
“I believe the war is nearing its end,” the President said. “Iran has no navy, no communication facilities, and no air force. Their missiles have been mostly destroyed. Their drones, including their drone manufacturing facilities, have been destroyed everywhere.”
According to the U.S. military, they have targeted over 3000 Iranian sites in the past week.
“They don’t have much left. From a military standpoint, they don’t have much left,” Trump added.
Since the start of the war, Iran has retaliated against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, effectively stalling maritime traffic in the area. Approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, with its narrowest point being about 21 miles wide, but the designated shipping lanes are much narrower.
The President stated that the U.S. “can take many actions regarding the strait” and warned Iran that there would be retaliation if they impede passage in the waterway.
“They have exhausted everything they could use. It’s best not to play tricks; otherwise, this country will be done… If they do anything bad, Iran will be done, and you won’t hear this name again,” Trump said.
At the same time, Trump mentioned that the Strait of Hormuz is now open, and ships have entered the strait.
He further mentioned that they are still considering how to gain control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Due to the narrowness of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran can easily monitor and target ships. The disruption in traffic has pushed oil prices to break the hundred-dollar mark for the first time since 2022.
On Sunday, during an interview with Fox News, Trump urged ships waiting in the Strait of Hormuz to “show some courage” and pass through the waterway.
“There’s nothing to fear; they have no navy left. We have sunk all their ships… and destroyed almost all their missile launchers, just 20% left,” the President said.
Initially, President Trump estimated that the war with Iran would take about a month to end.
“We are far ahead of schedule,” he told CBS on Monday.
When asked if he believed the war could end soon, the President replied, “The decision to end it or not is entirely up to me, not anyone else.”
On Sunday, Iran announced that Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei would succeed his father, Ayatollah Khamenei, as the Supreme Leader following his death in an airstrike.
Regarding the new leader of Iran, Trump remarked, “I have no information for him. None at all.”
However, the President quickly added that he already had a person in mind to lead Iran.