President Donald Trump declared that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial traffic, directly contradicting Iran's earlier claim that it had closed the strategic waterway “until further notice” following the latest escalation in hostilities.
Trump made the remarks during a telephone interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press programme, where the vast majority of the conversation was devoted to the death of his close ally, Senator Lindsey Graham. The 71-year-old South Carolina senator died on Saturday evening after a “brief and sudden illness,” according to his office.
Trump's Comments on the Strait
Asked about the status of the Strait of Hormuz towards the end of the interview, Trump said: “It’s open. We bombed the hell out of them last night. They are very, very evil and sick people. We had meetings with them… they agreed to a deal yesterday, a perfect deal for us. No nuclear, no this, no that, no nothing. They gave up everything and then after that they left the room and then within an hour they launched a drone at a ship. I said you people are sick, you are sick people. And so it is one of those things. I don’t want to talk about it. I want to talk about one person today, Lindsey Graham.”
Context of the Conflict
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. Approximately 20% of the world's petroleum passes through it. Iran's earlier announcement of closure had raised concerns about potential disruptions to global energy supplies and further military confrontation.
The latest escalation follows a series of attacks and counterattacks between the United States and Iran, including the drone strike on a commercial vessel that Trump referenced. The president's assertion that the strait is open suggests that US naval forces have ensured safe passage, despite Iranian threats.
Focus on Senator Graham
Trump repeatedly steered the conversation back to Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime confidant and influential Republican voice on foreign policy. Graham's sudden death has shocked Washington, with tributes pouring in from both sides of the aisle. Trump described him as a “warrior” and a “great friend,” emphasizing his role in shaping US military strategy.
The interview, which aired on Sunday, was dominated by Trump's reflections on Graham's legacy, with the president stating, “He was a great senator, a great person, and he will be missed.”
