Trump says US has almost full Hormuz control, asks Iranian people to rise up - India Today

**Trump Claims Near‑Total U.S. Control of Hormuz, Urges Iranians to Rise Up**

Washington — In a televised interview that was picked up by *India Today* and other outlets, former President Donald J. Trump asserted that the United States now has “almost full control” of the Strait of Hormuz, the critical maritime chokepoint through which roughly a fifth of global oil supplies flow. Trump framed the claim as evidence of U.S. “strength” after a new wave of strikes on Iranian-backed facilities in the Middle East, saying the operations have “shut down almost all Iranian shipping” and “kept the world’s oil flowing.” He added that the United States is not “forcing Iran to negotiate” and that the pressure campaign is intended to compel Tehran to “come to the table” on its nuclear and regional policies.

The remarks came amid a fresh series of U.S. airstrikes launched earlier this week targeting sites linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iraq and Syria, actions the Pentagon says were in response to a recent drone attack on a U.S. base in Iraq. Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the strikes as “unlawful aggression” and warned of “serious retaliation.” In a parallel narrative, Trump told Al Jazeera that the United States “is not in a hurry” for Iran to re‑engage in diplomatic talks, suggesting the administration prefers to maintain military pressure until Tehran makes “significant concessions.”

Trump also used the platform to address the ongoing unrest inside Iran, claiming that the Iranian regime has been responsible for the deaths of “over 100,000” protesters since the 2022 anti‑government demonstrations—a figure that has not been independently verified by human‑rights groups. He called on the Iranian people to “rise up” and “take back their country,” a statement that drew sharp criticism from diplomats who warned that such rhetoric could inflame an already volatile situation. Analysts note that while the U.S. retains naval superiority in the region, the claim of near‑complete control of Hormuz is contested; Iran still operates a fleet of fast‑attack craft and has previously demonstrated the ability to disrupt traffic in the strait. The broader geopolitical stakes remain high as Washington, Tehran, and regional allies navigate a delicate balance between military deterrence and diplomatic resolution.