Donald Trump has said the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz could be reopened with what he described as a “simple military maneuver.”
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump explained that while the operation would be relatively safe, it would require significant coordination and resources, including naval support.
“It’s a simple military maneuver. It’s relatively safe, but you need ships, you need volume,” he said, adding that NATO could assist, though he criticized the alliance for not showing enough willingness so far.
Trump also suggested that other allies could contribute but have yet to step forward. Despite this, he expressed confidence that the situation would eventually resolve itself, stating that “at a certain point, it will open itself,” while claiming that the enemy had already been defeated.
Earlier, the US president had faulted allies for hesitating to support efforts to reopen the crucial oil transit route. He also dismissed the idea of a ceasefire with Iran, arguing that the United States currently holds a dominant position in the conflict.
“We can have a dialogue, but I don’t want to do a ceasefire,” Trump said. “You don’t do a ceasefire when you’re literally obliterating the other side.”
He went further to claim that Iran’s military capabilities had been severely degraded, alleging the country lacks functional naval and air forces, as well as key defense systems.
