US President Donald Trump has again suggested renaming the strategically important Strait of Hormuz as the “Trump Strait”, saying Iran’s leadership would be “thrilled” by the move. He also vowed that Washington would not allow Tehran to acquire a nuclear weapon amid the ongoing US-Iran war.
Addressing the Republican Party’s midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday, Trump said the US was “winning” the war with Iran and connected the conflict with oil prices and the strategic waterway through which a significant share of global energy supplies passes.
Also Read: Trump promises each American $5,000 if Republicans keep Congress in US midterm elections
“I think we should call the Strait of Hormuz the ‘Trump Strait’… I’m sure the Iranian leadership will be thrilled with that,” Trump said, adding that he expected oil prices to fall once the US “win[s] the war with Iran.”
“It’s going to be called, ladies and gentlemen, I’ll have an announcement. We’ll call it the Trump Strait, and I’m sure the Iranian leadership will be thrilled with that,” he said.
Live Events
Trump also said the US could have taken a different approach if Iran had a nuclear weapon.
“If they (Iran) had a nuclear weapon, I’d be calling the Supreme Leader, and I’d be saying, ‘Mr. Supreme Leader, how are you, sir? Is there anything we can do for you?’ as opposed to bombing the crap out of him,” Trump said.“It’s very simple. We cannot let them have a nuclear weapon,” he added.
Trump also spoke about Iran’s suspected nuclear-related site at Pickaxe Mountain, saying the US could potentially target the location if activity there resumed.
“There’s another place called Pickaxe Mountain, another nice place. We may have to give him a shot there too because somebody said there was a little movement at the site,” Trump told the crowd.
CNN had meanwhile reported increased construction activity at the site, which is buried under granite and has long attracted the attention of intelligence agencies as a possible location for Iran to safeguard elements of its future nuclear programme.
The broadcaster said satellite imagery analysis by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies had identified a “clear surge in construction activity” at the site this year, based on an examination of six years of satellite imagery.
“We don’t need much. We can see everything,” Trump said, referring to American capabilities.
Also Read: Trump claims Iran war will end ‘immediately’ after US midterm elections
Trump also highlighted US energy production, claiming that the country is producing more oil and gas than Russia and Saudi Arabia combined.
“Our country is producing more gas and oil than Russia and Saudi Arabia combined today. We’re now the biggest (oil producer) in the world,” Trump said.
He also highlighted the US administration’s recently announced deal involving Venezuela, calling it “the biggest oil deal in the history of our country” and claiming access to 65 billion barrels.
“It’s the biggest oil deal in the history of our country. 65 billion barrels are ours,” Trump said, adding that the reserves could represent “500 years” of supply.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint, and the wider US-Iran conflict.
(With inputs from ANI)