Translated with AI
US President Donald Trump said the United States has full control of the Strait of Hormuz and intends to keep it closed until Iran agrees to a deal.
According to him, no vessel may enter or exit the strait without permission from the US Navy. A corresponding statement was published on his platform on April 23. However, no evidence of full US control over this important shipping route was presented.
The American leader also announced that he had ordered the US Navy to destroy any vessels laying mines in the strait. He added that American minesweepers are currently clearing the waters, with the intensity of their work tripling compared to normal.
Earlier, Iranian forces reportedly attacked three vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. On April 18, Iran announced it had returned the strait to its "strict control," reversing its decision the previous day to open the route to shipping.
Iran's Joint Forces Command said it would prevent the passage of ships until the US lifts its blockade of Iranian ports and restores freedom of movement for ships entering the country.
The day before, Iranian authorities announced the opening of the strait for the duration of the ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese radical group Hezbollah.
On the night of April 8, Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire. It was scheduled to end on April 22, but the day before, Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire in the conflict with Iran, claiming it was at the request of Pakistani authorities.
He stated that the ceasefire would remain in effect until a proposal was presented and negotiations were concluded. He also noted that he had instructed the US military to maintain the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and maintain full combat readiness.
