U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that all mines in the Strait of Hormuz had been cleared and that the U.S. Navy now controls the strait.
On the 10th (local time), Trump met reporters at the White House and, referring to the Strait of Hormuz, said, "It is open now," adding, "The only entity controlling the Strait of Hormuz right now is the U.S. Navy."
Trump said, "We have an ironclad blockade that has undoubtedly worked so far," adding, "We let in the people we want to let in. They are coming in and also going out."
He also claimed that while Iran is laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. military is clearing them all. He said, "What complicates things a bit is that Iran sometimes drops mines in the strait," but added, "We are finding the mines and have swept every part of the strait."
That repeated the existing claim that the United States controls the shipping lanes, denying Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz.
However, the New York Times (NYT) noted, "With an obvious intent to play down the seriousness of the war, Trump again falsely claimed that the Strait of Hormuz is open," pointing out that in reality the strait has been effectively closed since the war broke out.
Trump also left open the possibility of further escalation with Iran. Asked, "Is a large-scale escalation with Iran still possible," he answered, "If we want to, we are more than capable. You will find out soon."
Without mentioning specific military options, he highlighted Iran's economic situation. Trump said, "They can cause trouble, but they are bankrupt," adding, "They can't even pay their soldiers, and as of last night, their inflation rate is said to be 309%."
The two sides also continued to spar over compensation for war damage that Iran demanded from the United States. On the 8th, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), announced through state media six demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. They included lifting the naval blockade and sanctions, the withdrawal of U.S. forces from areas around Iran, and compensation for damage from "two invasion wars."
Trump said on his social media, Truth Social, that Iran's demand for compensation "has never been mentioned in any negotiation or talks," adding, "It's an interesting idea. Now I will likewise demand compensation from Iran."
He went on to argue that Iran should compensate those killed or injured in the past by roadside bombs and conflicts. He also demanded compensation for the bereaved families of those killed by the Iranian government's suppression of protesters.
Trump said, "Compensation should also be paid to the bereaved families of the hundreds of thousands of innocent protesters killed by Iran over the past 50 years," adding, "Not to mention the 52,000 protesters who died over the past five months."
He added that he ordered his negotiators to raise the issue of compensation in all future talks with Iran.
Trump also cited as eligible for compensation the bereaved families of victims of the USS Cole bombing in Yemen in 2000, which killed 17 U.S. service members. The attack was determined to have been carried out by al-Qaida.
Given that Iran is unlikely to accept Trump's demand for compensation, his remarks are seen as effectively rejecting Iran's demand for compensation for war damage.