Trump: Nobody Will Control Hormuz, But US to Watch Over It (Q&A)

President Donald Trump said that no one nation would control the Strait of Hormuz, pushing back on Iranian demands to manage the vital energy waterway. “Nobody’s going to control it. It’s international waters,” Trump said Wednesday at the White House. “The strait’s going to be open to everybody” and the US will “watch over it.”

Trump was asked during a meeting of his Cabinet officials if he was comfortable with a short-term deal that would open the strait but under Iranian control.  He didn’t indicate what steps the US would take to ensure free passage of vessels through the waterway, which has been closed since the start of the war. Iran has maintained a blockade of the strait and commercial shippers have been hesitant to attempt transit.

Trump’s comments cast doubt on prospects for an immediate breakthrough between the US and Iran, with markets optimistic for a deal after both sides reported progress in recent days. (Source: Bloomberg)