‘Wiped out’ Trump says US ‘controls’ Strait of Hormuz as Iran claims victory in conflict

BEIJING, CHINA: President Donald Trump said on Friday, May 15, that the United States is effectively in control of the Strait of Hormuz, escalating rhetoric over the ongoing standoff with Iran despite a fragile ceasefire remaining in place.

Speaking aboard Air Force One after his summit in China, Trump claimed US military operations and a naval blockade had severely weakened Iran’s military capabilities.

On the other hand, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi publicly rejected the US narrative, declaring that Iran had emerged victorious from the conflict and warning that Tehran still does not trust Washington in ongoing diplomatic efforts. 

Trump: US controls Strait amid Iran pressure

 Trump said the US had achieved dominance over the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, a major global shipping route for oil and gas exports.

“We control the Strait (of Hormuz), and they've done no business… so we have been doing very well on all fronts,” Trump said aboard Air Force One. “We don't need favors,” he added. “We wiped out their armed forces, essentially.”

Trump also suggested military operations against Iran may not be fully over despite the ceasefire arrangement reached earlier this year. 

“We may have to do a little cleanup work,” he said. “Because we had a little month-long ceasefire, I guess you'd call it, but we have a blockade that's so effective, that's why we did the ceasefire.”

The president said Chinese President Xi Jinping supported efforts to reopen the waterway and agreed that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons. 

“He feels strongly that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon, and he wants them to open up the strait,” Trump said of Xi.

In a separate interview with Fox News, Trump signaled growing impatience with Tehran over stalled diplomacy. 

“I'm not going to be much more patient,” Trump told Sean Hannity. “They should make a deal.”

Trump also indicated he could accept a long-term suspension of Iran’s nuclear activities, saying he would support a halt lasting 20 years if Tehran made a “real” commitment.

Iran claims victory, says ceasefire ‘very shaky’

Araghchi pushed back strongly against Trump’s comments, insisting Tehran had successfully resisted pressure from the United States and Israel.

In an interview on Friday, he said “all countries now acknowledge that the Islamic Republic of Iran was the victor in this war.” 

“Iran was able to prevent its enemies from achieving their objectives and succeeded in imposing its will,” he added. 

“From now on, Iran must be viewed differently,” Araghchi continued, “as a power capable of confronting the world's greatest powers.”

The Iranian foreign minister also described the ceasefire as unstable and accused Washington of sending conflicting messages during diplomatic contacts.

“We are now in a ceasefire, although it is very shaky,” Araghchi said during the BRICS summit in New Delhi.

“But we are trying to maintain it in order to give diplomacy a chance so that a negotiated, diplomatic solution can be found.”

He added, “We cannot trust the Americans at all,” he added. “Everything must be precise and clearly defined before any agreement can be concluded.”

Araghchi also said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping, except for vessels connected to countries “that are at war with us.”