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US President Donald Trump said Friday that with "a little more time," the United States can easily reopen the Strait of Hormuz, take the oil and "make a fortune," according to multiple reports. The remarks, posted on Truth Social, come amid growing concerns over the impact of the US-Israeli war against Iran on oil prices and inflation.

"With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE," Trump wrote, as quoted by Yonhap News Agency. "IT WOULD BE A 'GUSHER' FOR THE WORLD???"

The statement follows Trump's warning on Wednesday that the US military will hit Iran "extremely hard" over the next two to three weeks and "bring them back to the stone ages," a threat reported by Deutsche Welle and Yonhap. Iran has vowed a "crushing" response, according to Deutsche Welle.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the president's comments has been largely consistent across outlets, though with varying emphasis. Yonhap News Agency provided the most detailed account, including Trump's social media post and additional context about US aircraft losses. Deutsche Welle focused on Trump's address to the nation and the international response, including the UK-hosted summit. The Hindu highlighted the regional chaos and financial market turmoil resulting from the conflict.

All sources agree that Trump made the remarks in a social media post on Friday and that Iran's retaliatory attacks have seriously disrupted shipping through the strait, which carries about a fifth of the world's oil supply. No source disputed the authenticity of the quotes or the general state of the conflict.

Key Claims

  • Trump's proposal: Trump said in a Truth Social post that "with a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE," as reported by Yonhap and The Hindu. The remark reflects his administration's desire for a quick resolution to the conflict.
  • Threats against Iran: Trump warned on Wednesday that US forces would hit Iran "extremely hard" and "bring them back to the stone ages," a statement carried by Deutsche Welle and Yonhap. In a separate speech, he repeated threats against Iran's civilian power plants, according to The Hindu.
  • Iran's retaliation: Iran has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes that began in late February, according to The Hindu. Iran has also vowed a "crushing" response to US threats, Deutsche Welle reported.
  • US aircraft losses: Iran shot down a US F-15E fighter jet that flew over the country, marking the first known US aircraft loss since the war began on Feb. 28, Yonhap reported, citing The New York Times and other outlets. One of the two crew members has been rescued. A US A-10 attack plane also crashed in the region, with the pilot safely rescued, according to the same report. These claims, however, have only been reported by a single outlet and have not yet been independently verified by other sources in this coverage.
  • Financial market impact: Oil prices surged and stocks in Asia plummeted following Trump's speech, according to Deutsche Welle. The Hindu also reported that the war continues to spread chaos across the region and roil financial markets. Reopening the strait has become a priority for governments worldwide as energy prices soar.
  • UK-hosted summit: The United Kingdom is set to host a virtual summit with over 30 countries to discuss ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Deutsche Welle reported. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the meeting would assess diplomatic and political measures to restore freedom of navigation.

Perspectives

US Administration: Trump's remarks frame the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as a feasible and profitable objective, suggesting confidence in US military capability. However, he has not provided a clear timeline for ending hostilities, according to The Hindu.

Iranian Response: Iran has vowed a "crushing" response to US threats and has effectively shut down the strait in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes. The downing of a US aircraft, if confirmed, would indicate that Iran's missile capabilities remain significant despite US claims of degradation.

International Community: The UK's initiative to convene over 30 countries reflects global concern over disrupted oil supplies and the need to restore freedom of navigation. Governments around the world are prioritizing the reopening of the strait as energy prices soar.