U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States would bomb Oman if it interfered with U.S. activities in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said secret communication channels existed with officials from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Trump claimed that only a small amount of U.S. ammunition had been used in Iran and alleged that Tehran possessed a large number of medium-level weapons.
Trump also said former U.S. President Joe Biden had provided advanced weapons systems to Ukraine.
Agreement with Iran and the Strait of Hormuz
Iran and the United States reached an agreement through Pakistani mediation on June 14. Under the first phase of the agreement, the Strait of Hormuz would be opened and Iran would not charge fees for 60 days for passages through the strategic waterway in exchange for the United States releasing Iran's frozen assets.
The United States did not release Iran's frozen assets after the agreement and designated an alternative route through Omani territorial waters for passages through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran considered these steps a violation of the agreement.
Iran restricted passages through the strait and struck some vessels attempting to pass without authorization. Tensions between the two countries escalated into clashes around the Strait of Hormuz on July 8, and the clashes lasted approximately two weeks.
Iran resumed talks with Oman, which borders the Strait of Hormuz, to establish safe passage routes for vessels.
Trump comments on elections in Iran and Israel
Trump said the Tehran government would have to surrender when the agreement with Iran expired and stated that he was in no hurry. Trump argued that the U.S. naval blockade of Iran was creating economic pressure and alleged that Iran was bluffing on the issue.
Commenting on the elections scheduled to take place in Israel in October, Trump said staying out of the elections was the best option but that he could support one of the candidates.
Trump also said they communicated with Hamas through different channels and that Hamas would lay down its arms. He said Israel should not launch attacks on Gaza.
In another statement about Iran, Trump said his top priority was to ensure that Iran did not possess nuclear weapons in any circumstances.
