US President Donald Trump said that the Strait of Hormuz remains open amid ongoing tensions with Iran and that millions of barrels of oil pass through the waterway every day.
Speaking at the White House, Trump claimed that the United States controls the strait and has imposed a blockade. He alleged that Iran cannot transport goods through the waterway and that no ships are passing through it.
Claim of a mine-clearing operation
The US president said that US forces had cleared mines in the Strait of Hormuz and were closely monitoring maritime traffic. Trump said they had the best mine-sweeping equipment in the world and that the strait had been completely cleared of mines.
Trump also said that boats attempting to lay mines had been detected and that immediate action had been taken against them. He said two boats had been removed.
He said 24 boats were escorted
Trump said the United States had recently escorted some ships through the Strait of Hormuz. He said 24 boats had passed through the strait the previous night and that the practice was continuing.