Trump Asserts U.S. Can Open Strait of Hormuz and Profit

Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Friday that "with a little more time," the United States could easily open the Strait of Hormuz, seize the oil, and "make a fortune." This statement comes amidst escalating concerns over how the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran is influencing oil prices and inflation. According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump's remarks were shared via a social media post, highlighting the significant disruption in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz due to Iran's retaliatory actions. This vital waterway is crucial for global energy supply, as it accounts for approximately one-fifth of the world's oil shipments. Trump emphasized the potential economic boon, stating, "With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, and MAKE A FORTUNE," suggesting that such a move could be a major economic benefit for the world. These comments were made shortly after Trump issued a stern warning that the U.S. military is prepared to strike Iran "extremely ha rd" over the coming weeks to severely diminish its capabilities. This warning follows the recent downing of a U.S. F-15E fighter jet by Iran, marking the first known U.S. aircraft loss since hostilities began on February 28. Despite the setback, Trump reassured in an NBC interview that Iran's actions would not hinder ongoing negotiations, remarking, "No, not at all. No, it's war." In addition to the F-15E incident, a U.S. A-10 attack plane also crashed in the region, though the pilot was successfully rescued. These incidents suggest that Iran's missile capabilities remain robust, challenging claims by the Trump administration that their military efforts have significantly weakened Iran's defensive systems.