Donald Trump says Iran is "going just absolutely fine" amid attacks on merchant ships

During a stop in Ohio, President Trump said the U.S. is in a strong position in the conflict with Iran, claiming Washington alone controls the Strait of Hormuz and playing down concerns about the situation. His comments came as attacks on merchant ships near two key oil routes and an impasse in war talks raised doubts about a quick end to the fighting. Iran’s top security official, Mohsen Rezaei, said the strait will remain closed until the U.S. releases frozen Iranian assets and resolves regional conflicts. A suspected Houthi assault killed four crew members in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait; the U.S. military said it fired on a ship ignoring the blockade. Oil prices rose and stocks fell.