U.S. President Donald Trump on the 12th local time again stressed the United States' control of the Strait of Hormuz, raising pressure on Iran.
Trump said on Truth Social that the United States completely controls the Strait of Hormuz and will maintain that control. He said the U.S. maritime blockade of Iran is being called a "wall of steel," and claimed Iran has no way to counter it.
Trump zeroed in on what he said was a gap in Iran's military power. He said Iran effectively lacks a navy and an air force, and remaining troops are not even being paid. He added the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is collapsing to the point of disintegration and fleeing, and assessed that the situation of Iran's leadership is also uncertain.
He also criticized the economy. Trump said Iran is financially depleted, with inflation reaching 300% and only fake news remaining. He labeled Iran a country that is "all talk and no action," and said it is no longer the Middle East's bully.
The remarks came as talks were underway between Iran and Middle East mediators over reopening the Strait of Hormuz. It is seen as a continued war of nerves between Iran, which claims de facto control of the strait, and the United States. While some mediators say the talks have made significant progress, both the United States and Iran are keeping a hard line in public and continuing a show of force.