Donald Trump says we have "almost total control of the Hormuz Strait" as Iran’s economy collapses
“I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing. They are just playing out the inevitable. When are the Iranian people going to rise up and fight?”
Reported September 3, 2026 by freepressjournal.in. Checked word for word against that report.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed U.S. forces in the Middle East to remain through 2027, widening what began as a limited campaign against Iran. The region hosts roughly 50,000 American service members, nineteen warships, and air and missile defenses; officials cited by the Journal say deployments have already exceeded planned schedules. President Trump now faces options ranging from harsher sanctions to broader escalation. The Journal also reported that Trump has privately discussed declaring the conflict over and relying on economic pressure to end Iran’s nuclear program. In a social media message, Trump expressed confidence in Washington’s position, citing control of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s financial distress, and suggested the Iranian public should challenge its leadership. Advisers fear prolonged war might affect November elections, though Trump denies considering politics.
- freepressjournal.in ↗︎03 SEP 2026