We Might Be Occupiers in Iran: Trump

US President Donald Trump is reluctant to acknowledge military operations in Iran as a full-fledged war. He also discussed the possibility of describing the American presence in the country as an “occupation.” Concurrently, Trump asserted that the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transportation routes, is under US control. Tehran, however, rejected Washington’s claim, stating that strategic control of the strait remains in its hands.

Trump made these remarks during an interaction with reporters after delivering a speech at a NASA facility in Florida, USA, on Friday (November 6).

Drawing a comparison between the Russia-Ukraine war and the ongoing conflict with Iran, the US President noted that 25,000 people were killed in the Russia-Ukraine war last October. In his view, that constitutes a genuine war. In contrast, he is unwilling to label the current hostilities with Iran as a war, claiming that no one has been injured there in the past few months.

Regarding the US presence in Iran, he stated, “We might be occupiers. We could be occupiers.”

Trump remained steadfast in his position concerning the control of the Strait of Hormuz. He claimed that this vital waterway is currently under US command. He also added that the United States is presently extracting more oil than at any point in its history.

When asked about reports of a US attack near Iran’s Qeshm Island on Friday, Trump initially refrained from commenting. Subsequently, admitting to limited military operations, he mentioned that small-scale attacks were being conducted in Iran. He further claimed that an Iranian air defense facility was destroyed within minutes.

Earlier, while acknowledging the attack on an Iranian air defense facility on Qeshm Island, Trump characterized it not as the initiation of a full-scale war, but rather as a confined military operation.

However, Iran explicitly rejected the claim that the Strait of Hormuz is under US control. Tehran asserted that it maintains strategic command of the strait. The country also declared that the strait would not be reopened until its conditions are met.

It is noteworthy that on February 28, the United States and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran. A ceasefire between the two sides came into effect in April. Later, in June, a memorandum of understanding was signed with the aim of a peace treaty, but a final agreement has yet to be reached among the involved parties.

Source: Anadolu Agency

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