President Donald Trump stated Tuesday that he expects the Strait of Hormuz to “automatically open” once American forces depart the region. Speaking in a phone interview with the New York Post, the president suggested that the United States is nearing the end of its military involvement in Iran. “We’re not going to be there too much longer. We’re obliterating the sh** out of them right now, it’s a total obliteration,” Trump told the Post. The remarks follow a Wall Street Journal report suggesting the administration might consider concluding the conflict even if the strategic waterway remains obstructed. When asked about that possibility, Trump argued that the responsibility for reopening the shipping lane would shift to those who rely on it most. “I don’t think about it, to be honest,” Trump said regarding the logistical opening of the Strait. “My sole function was to make sure that they don’t have a nuclear weapon. They’re not going to have a nuclear weapon. When we leave the strait will automatically open.” The president further suggested that the weakened state of Iran would leave them unable to maintain a blockade. “I’ve obliterated the country. They have no strength left, and let the countries that are using the strait, let them go and open it… because I would imagine whoever’s controlling the oil will be very happy to open the strait,” he added. These comments stand in contrast to a social media post from Monday, in which the president threatened a massive escalation if the waterway was not made “Open for Business” immediately. In that post, he warned that the U.S. would conclude its “lovely ‘stay'” by destroying Iran’s power plants, oil wells, desalination plants, and the critical oil hub of Kharg Island. RELATED: Trump Issues “Obliteration” Ultimatum As U.S. Troops Pour Into Middle East Conflict As the president signaled a potential withdrawal, international diplomatic efforts have intensified. In Beijing, Pakistan and China released a joint five-point peace proposal aimed at “restoring peace and stability in the Gulf.” The plan, announced by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry on X, calls for an immediate ceasefire, the start of formal peace talks, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal followed a Tuesday meeting between Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage. Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
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According to unverified accounts provided by a relative, Valivade served as a refuge for approximately 5,000 Polish refugees between 1942 and 1948, a period marked by the displacement of civilians following the 1939 invasion of Poland. The source claims that individual survivors, including a girl reportedly disguised to avoid danger, found temporary stability at the settlement, which is locally known as "Drugi Dom.
The United States and Israel have reportedly engaged in a regional conflict with Iran for nearly six months, during which Strait of Hormuz oil transit has remained significantly below prewar levels of 20 million barrels per day, despite U.S. officials claiming Navy escort operations.
Although the Strait typically facilitates over 20% of global energy trade, analysts suggest that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may continue to restrict normal transit even if diplomatic agreements are reached. Current tensions have escalated following the expiration of a reported 60-day ceasefire, prompting the U.
S. to announce new economic isolation measures while hostilities appear to have resumed.
Sudan’s civil war, which has persisted for nearly four years, has reportedly displaced over 13 million people and caused significant famine, with casualty estimates suggesting approximately 59,000 deaths. Recent U.S. officials have highlighted the severity of the humanitarian crisis, noting that two-thirds of the population requires aid, while reports from the UN Security Council indicate that armed drones have been responsible for the majority of recorded civilian deaths in the first half of the year.
Mediator Oman reported that the United States and Iran made progress in their negotiations regarding Tehran's nuclear program on Thursday. However, the hours-long talks concluded without a clear indication of a final agreement.