WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Monday called on allied nations to help reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He said countries that rely on oil shipments through the waterway should step forward to restore normal maritime traffic.
Speaking at a news conference, Trump said the United States had taken “strong military action” to reduce threats from Iran. He said partner nations were expected to assist in managing the situation in the Strait.
Trump claimed that US strikes had severely weakened Iran’s military capabilities. He said Iranian ships and aircraft had been destroyed and key members of the country’s leadership eliminated. He added that Iran had also lost its radar capabilities.
According to Trump, the United States had destroyed about 90 percent of Iran’s missile capacity and 85 percent of its drone capability. He said Iranian mine-laying boats in the Strait had also been destroyed and Iranian attacks had fallen by roughly 90 percent.
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Trump noted that more than 100 Iranian vessels had been sunk. He added that discussions had been held with several countries regarding the situation in the vital shipping lane. While it remained unclear whether Iran had actually placed mines, Trump stressed that allied support was needed to secure the waterway.
