U.S. President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz is in “great shape” despite recent attacks on commercial vessels and ongoing disruption to global oil shipments during the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Trump said U.S. forces had weakened Iran’s naval capabilities in the region. “The straits are in great shape,” Trump said. “We’ve knocked out all of their boats.
They have some missiles, but not very many. I think we’re in very good shape.”
The key shipping channel, which normally carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, has faced repeated threats from Iran since the start of the military campaign.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said it would not allow “even a single liter of oil” to pass through the waterway while strikes on Iran continue.
Maritime authorities reported new incidents on Wednesday when three cargo ships were struck by unknown projectiles, bringing the number of reported attacks on vessels operating near the Iranian coast to 16, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The disruption has shaken energy markets, briefly pushing global oil prices above $100 per barrel before easing slightly as governments discussed releasing strategic reserves to stabilize supply.
