Report: Iran Seizes Tanker in Hormuz; Trump Says U.S. Naval Blockade Is ‘Very Effective’

President Donald Trump spoke with reporters today (Monday) and addressed the economic pressure he says the United States is applying to Iran. Trump said, “The naval blockade we imposed has been very effective. Now, millions of barrels of oil are leaving Hormuz every week.”

The president added: “I want a deal with Iran for one reason: to prevent it from getting nuclear weapons, but Iran is not going to sign the deal that I see as necessary.” The American president was asked about his statement that he would declare the Strait of Hormuz American territory, and replied: “Well, I just think it’s a great idea. I mean, we control it through the blockade. Now, the Iranians can be a nuisance. They can lay a mine in the water, but the blockade has been very effective.”

“The strait is open and oil prices are falling, and they will continue to fall unless we decide to do something much more drastic than what we are doing now. Iran is in big trouble. They have 300% inflation. The country is in terrible shape, and the military has been completely defeated.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s FARS news agency reported that the Iranian military had seized a tanker owned by the United Arab Emirates that passed through the Strait of Hormuz without the required coordination. The report has not been confirmed by another source.

Earlier today, Reuters quoted a senior Iranian official who threatened that if no progress is made in negotiations with the United States, Iran would “move to a completely offensive policy.” The official claimed that Iran had set a deadline of several weeks for implementing a new memorandum of understanding, adding: “We will not wait while the United States extends the blockade.”