Trump Declares US Navy Controls Strait of Hormuz, Demands Iran Pay Compensation

President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday that the United States Navy has swept the entire Strait of Hormuz for mines and holds "100 percent" control over the strategic waterway. "It's open now. Look, the only one that has control of the Strait of Hormuz right now is the United States Navy," Trump said. He described the U.S. naval blockade as "infallible" and a "steel wall" that only targets ships traveling to and from Iran. Trump acknowledged that Iran can "make trouble" in the strait but argued that Tehran is "broke" with 300 percent inflation and unable to pay its soldiers. "We have a blockade that's been infallible. It's a steel wall," he said. The president also claimed the U.S. Navy swept the entire strait for mines, adding that Iran "will, on occasion, drop a mine, and we find the mines". The president's remarks came as Iran has reportedly said the strait would remain closed until Washington meets its demands, including war reparations and the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. Iran is also nearing a final pact with Oman to establish new shipping lanes through the strait, but has reiterated that the U.S. must meet conditions including compensation, an end to sanctions, and a halt to military threats before reopening the waterway. Trump also demanded that Iran pay compensation for deaths and injuries caused by its actions over the past 50 years. "They asked for reparations, they asked for money for the damage that we've done. And I said, that's a good idea. Well, we're to ask for money for the damage they've done over a 50-year period," Trump told reporters. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that he is "likewise demanding compensation from Iran, for all of the people that they have killed and gravely wounded with their roadside bombs and many conflicts". Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Sunday that Tehran will not resume direct negotiations with Washington while the U.S. remains in breach of a June interim agreement. Messages are being exchanged through mediators. Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, said the Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened until the United States "corrects its behavior," listing conditions including a permanent end to the war, an end to threats, lifting the naval blockade, compensation for war damage, and lifting sanctions. The standoff pushed oil prices higher on Monday. Brent crude settled 4.99 percent higher at $87.72 a barrel, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate rose 5.05 percent to $82.13. Hopes for an agreement had driven both benchmarks down more than 7 percent last week. About a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed through the waterway before the conflict began in February. U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve holdings fell by about 6.1 million barrels last week to 298.7 million barrels, their lowest level since 1983. Trump earlier this month canceled a planned trip to Pakistan by his special envoy and son-in-law for negotiations with Iran. The U.S. and Iran failed to reach a deal during 21 hours of face-to-face talks in Pakistan on Sunday, leaving a fragile week-long ceasefire in doubt. Trump has described the latest talks as Iran's final chance before possible "decapitation" and issued a cryptic warning when asked what would follow: "You'll find out". He did not confirm whether an operation had been authorized or explain whether Washington's next move would involve military action, sanctions, or diplomacy.