(US, 19th) In response to Iran's announcement to resume control over the Strait of Hormuz, US President Trump stated on the 18th that Iran cannot 'blackmail' the United States.
Speaking about the Iran situation in an event at the White House on the morning of the 18th local time, Trump said that US-Iran dialogue is currently progressing smoothly. He remarked that the US military action against Iran has left them 'without a navy, without an air force, and without leaders', which he described as a 'forced regime change.'
Trump also said that Iran is trying to blockade the Strait of Hormuz again, but 'they cannot blackmail us.' The US is in dialogue with Iran, 'our stance is tough', and before the end of today, 'we will have further news.'
Earlier on the 18th, a spokesperson of the Iranian Armed Forces' Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said that, due to the US 'repeatedly breaking promises', Iran had restored control over the Strait of Hormuz to its previous state, and that the strait is now under the strict management and control of the Iranian armed forces.