Trump Claims Iran War Nearly Over, US Considers Taking Control of Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump has signalled that military operations against Iran are approaching conclusion. In a recent interview with CBS News on Monday (9 March) local time, Trump described the conflict as a “short-term excursion” that is nearly complete.
Trump stated that Iranian military capabilities have been significantly incapacitated following ten days of intensive strikes. He claimed that US and allied forces have destroyed most of Tehran’s strategic assets, including primary military infrastructure.
“I think this war is very much over, nearly finished. They don’t have a navy, no communications, they no longer have an air force,” Trump said whilst speaking from his residence in Doral, Florida.
“If Iran does anything to stop the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States 20 times harder than what they have received so far.”
Despite claiming victory is imminent, Trump issued stern warnings regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most vital energy shipping route carrying approximately 20% of global oil supplies. He stated he was considering taking direct physical control of the strait if maritime disruptions continue.
This threat emerged after Iran had threatened to close the strait in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes. Trump emphasised that the US would not hesitate to employ “fire and fury” if the world’s energy supplies were held hostage by Tehran.
Trump’s optimistic statements regarding the war’s conclusion have provided positive sentiment to global energy markets. Crude oil prices, which had previously touched the psychological threshold of US$100 and even reached US$119 per barrel, have now experienced sharp correction.
This price decline has provided relief to a global economy previously threatened with acute energy inflation due to Middle Eastern conflict. However, analysts have cautioned that market stability remains heavily dependent on the realisation of Trump’s proposed takeover of the Strait of Hormuz.
In Tehran, the situation remains tense following the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as new Supreme Leader, replacing his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a response stating that they would determine the war’s conclusion.
Trump stated he had no special message for Mojtaba Khamenei and expressed disappointment with Iran’s leadership succession, which he assessed would only prolong problems for the nation’s people.