Trump says Iran is 'in deep trouble' as US maintains blockade of Strait of Hormuz

Asked why Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed or committed not to attack NATO territory, Trump responded, “I had good conversations with him. He is not going to attack NATO territory.”

US President Donald Trump addressed Iran’s situation on Thursday evening, saying that “Iran right now is not paying its soldiers. They are in deep trouble. They have very little capability left.”

Trump also discussed the Strait of Hormuz and US activity in the area, saying, “Last night we moved 24 ships through the strait. We move them all the time. I’m saying this openly.”

He said, however, that the military activity had not ended, adding, “As you know, the Strait of Hormuz is open. We have control and we have a blockade. Iran is getting nothing. Nothing is going through. No ship is going through.”

Asked whether he would punish Russian President Vladimir Putin or Russia if Moscow continued trading with Iran, Trump said the response would depend on the circumstances.

“Up to now, I think Russia has behaved pretty well when it comes to the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

Russia won't attack NATO territory, Trump affirms

Trump also addressed Russia during his remarks to reporters, following the visit by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to the country two days earlier.

Asked why Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed or committed not to attack NATO territory, Trump responded, “I had good conversations with him. He is not going to attack NATO territory.”

Asked whether he had warned Putin not to do so, Trump said, “I don’t want to comment on that, but they are not going to attack.”

Trump was also asked why he had not imposed sanctions on Chinese banks that conduct business with Iran. He responded, “Who said I’m not? You’re asking ‘why not,’ who said? You don’t know if I’m doing it. I don’t have to announce everything, right?”

Addressing the possibility of renewed talks with Iran, Trump said, “We don’t want to talk to them. We’re not looking to meet or something like that. The strait is open, we are moving a lot of ships. Millions and millions of barrels of oil are going through the strait every day.”

He also said the US had completely cleared the Strait of Hormuz of mines, adding, “We have the best minesweepers in the world.”

Trump said the US was closely monitoring Iran through its Space Force, saying, “We see every inch of the strait. Every ship that enters with a mine, we see it and destroy it. We have already destroyed two of them.”

Meanwhile, sources familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal that the Trump administration has repeatedly made clear to mediators that it has no interest in returning to the terms of the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran in June.

According to the sources, the position has complicated efforts underway this week to restart diplomatic negotiations.

According to the newspaper’s report, the initial agreement signed by Trump at Versailles, with Vice President JD Vance involved in its formulation, was intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and launch negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and an end to the war, in exchange for sanctions relief.

Although Trump has said he ultimately wants an agreed-upon end to the confrontation, he is currently willing to wait and assess whether increased economic pressure on Tehran will produce results.

The approach follows the administration’s launch this week of a broad economic campaign aimed at cutting off the Iranian regime’s sources of revenue and financial connections.