U.S. President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would lose its former strategic importance as alternative oil transport routes and new pipelines come into operation.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the United States was preparing to impose new sanctions on Iran. Trump said the sanctions would be “strong” but did not give a date for when they would take effect.
Claim about passage through the Strait of Hormuz
Trump claimed that the Strait of Hormuz was entirely under the control of the U.S. Navy and that only ships approved by the United States could pass through the strait. He also said that large quantities of oil were transported through the strait to world markets.
Trump said Texas, Alaska and Louisiana, along with other alternative routes, offered options for oil transportation. Claiming that many new pipelines had been built, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would therefore not be as important as it had been in the past.
Military exercises with North Korea
Trump also addressed his relations with North Korea. Saying that he had good relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Trump said he no longer saw a need for large-scale joint military exercises with South Korea.
Describing the exercises as “humiliating” for North Korea, Trump claimed that Pyongyang had treated the United States well. Trump also said that Kim Jong-un had not established good relations with former U.S. presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden but had been able to reach an understanding with him.
Trump said there had been no problems between Washington and Pyongyang during his presidency. He also expressed his displeasure that South Korea had refused to help the United States in the war against Iran.
Maria Nica / Editor
