Strait of Hormuz is under our complete control: Trump

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the important international trade waterway, the Strait of Hormuz, is currently under the "complete control" of the United States. At the same time, he also said that the US Navy is working to remove mines planted by Iran in the strait. Al Jazeera News.

Trump spoke to reporters on Tuesday (August 11) during a visit to Joint Base Andrews in the US state of Maryland. When asked about the progress on the Iran issue, he said, "We are making very good progress on the Iran issue. The Strait of Hormuz is now under our control. The entire strait is under our control."

The US President also ruled out the possibility of talks with Iran on Hormuz. He said, "I don't trust Iran. They have lied to me over and over again."

Trump claimed that Iran has planted mines in the Strait of Hormuz and the US Navy is working to remove them. In his words, "We are clearing the waterway of mines. Our navy will soon clear the entire strait of mines. Iran no longer has any control over Hormuz.’

The nearly 167-kilometer-long Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important waterways for global energy trade. About one-fifth of the world’s total energy products are transported through this waterway. Iran is located on one side of the strait and Oman is located on the other.

After the US launched an operation in Iran on February 28, Tehran imposed a blockade on foreign ships in the Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation, Washington also announced a blockade on Iranian sea ports.

Later, the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the US and Iran on June 17, mediated by Pakistan. After the agreement, Iran lifted the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, the US Navy withdrew its patrols from Iranian ports.

However, on July 13, Islamabad withdrew from the agreement and Iran imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz again.