Donald Trump says "millions of barrels of oil" move daily through the Strait of Hormuz

After U.S. strikes on Iran’s southern coast killed at least 18 people and wounded more than 100, according to Iranian officials, President Trump threatened further attacks at a time of Washington’s choosing and defended U.S. control of the Strait of Hormuz, citing daily oil traffic through the waterway. Iran closed the strait in February, sharply reducing transits; it normally carries about one-fifth of globally traded oil. Iran retaliated by striking U.S. bases in Bahrain, Iraq, and Jordan. Brent crude has risen to about $95 per barrel, and Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 33 percent, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling. Trump denied that election concerns shaped his Iran strategy.