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"Show some guts. There is nothing to be afraid of, Iran has no Navy and we sunk all their ships," US President Donald Trump said while discussing maritime tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, urging commercial vessels to continue using the critical global shipping route despite the ongoing
conflict involving Iran.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said ships should continue passing through the strategic waterway, arguing that Iran no longer has the naval strength to threaten maritime traffic.
Trump's comments come amid heightened tensions in West Asia following the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which began after coordinated strikes on February 28.
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During the interview, Trump also addressed speculation surrounding Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed the position after the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a strike on Tehran on February 28.
"I think he probably is [alive]. I think he is damaged, but I think he's probably alive in some form," Trump said, referring to reports about Mojtaba's health after recent attacks.
The remarks follow growing speculation about the Iranian leader’s condition after reports suggested he may have been injured during US-Israeli strikes that targeted a compound in Tehran and killed his father. Iranian state media on Thursday (March 12) carried a statement attributed to Mojtaba amid rumours about his health.
In the message addressed to the Iranian public, Mojtaba said Iran would continue its fight and avenge those killed in the conflict. "We will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs," the statement said.
Trump also claimed that before the conflict escalated, Iran had positioned a large number of missiles targeting several countries in West Asia.
"Iran had thousands of missiles pointed at all these West Asia countries for the last four months," he said.
According to Trump, Tehran had plans to assert regional dominance over Gulf nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.
"All these nations were afraid of Iran, and they are not anymore. But they had reason to be afraid. We have knocked the hell out of them as no other nation could, and they still have remnants left," Trump said.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most vital oil transit routes, carrying a significant share of global crude shipments. Any disruption to traffic through the narrow passage typically raises concerns about global energy supplies and shipping security.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said ships should continue passing through the strategic waterway, arguing that Iran no longer has the naval strength to threaten maritime traffic.
Trump's comments come amid heightened tensions in West Asia following the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which began after coordinated strikes on February 28.
Click here for live updates
During the interview, Trump also addressed speculation surrounding Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed the position after the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a strike on Tehran on February 28.
"I think he probably is [alive]. I think he is damaged, but I think he's probably alive in some form," Trump said, referring to reports about Mojtaba's health after recent attacks.
The remarks follow growing speculation about the Iranian leader’s condition after reports suggested he may have been injured during US-Israeli strikes that targeted a compound in Tehran and killed his father. Iranian state media on Thursday (March 12) carried a statement attributed to Mojtaba amid rumours about his health.
In the message addressed to the Iranian public, Mojtaba said Iran would continue its fight and avenge those killed in the conflict. "We will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs," the statement said.
Trump also claimed that before the conflict escalated, Iran had positioned a large number of missiles targeting several countries in West Asia.
"Iran had thousands of missiles pointed at all these West Asia countries for the last four months," he said.
According to Trump, Tehran had plans to assert regional dominance over Gulf nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.
"All these nations were afraid of Iran, and they are not anymore. But they had reason to be afraid. We have knocked the hell out of them as no other nation could, and they still have remnants left," Trump said.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most vital oil transit routes, carrying a significant share of global crude shipments. Any disruption to traffic through the narrow passage typically raises concerns about global energy supplies and shipping security.
