President Trump said on Friday that the United States would be able to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is almost closed by Iran, “with a little more time.” Donald Trump claimed on Friday that the United States could “open” the Strait of Hormuz and “take control of the oil” with “a little more time,” without specifying how he planned to do so. “With a little more time, we could easily OPEN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ, GET CONTROL OF THE OIL, AND MAKE A FORTUNE. THIS WOULD BE A ‘GIFT’ FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD,” the US president wrote on his Truth Social network. The message did not mention how the United States could end Iran’s control over this strategic maritime route or which oil was being referred to.
Projet de résolution à l’ONU
The war in the Middle East is causing great concerns for the global economy due to Iran’s almost-complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which normally 20% of the world’s oil and LNG, as well as 30% of fertilizers, transit. Around forty countries are calling for the “immediate and unconditional reopening” of this strait, accusing Iran of wanting to “hold the world economy hostage.” The Iranian military has warned that the strait will remain closed to hostile countries.
Gulf countries urged the United Nations on Thursday to give the green light to a forced liberation of the Strait of Hormuz. The UN vote on a resolution project authorizing the use of force under certain conditions, led by Bahrain and under discussion for about ten days, was postponed as the Security Council is far from reaching a consensus.
Tehran cautioned against any “provocative action” at the UN, warning that a Security Council vote “will only further complicate the situation.”
[Context: The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial shipping lane where a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas supplies pass through. Fact Check: President Trump’s claim about the United States being able to reopen the strait and take control of the oil is highly contentious and lacks specifics on how it would be achieved.]
