In an interview with Fox News on 12/3 regarding escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump suggested that commercial vessels should "show courage" and navigate through the vital shipping lane.

President Trump accused Iran of "pointing thousands of missiles at Middle Eastern countries" over the past four months with the intention of "controlling the region," emphasizing that the US military had inflicted heavy damage on opposing forces. "There is nothing to fear. They have no navy, and we have sunk all their ships," he stated.

US President Donald Trump at the White House on 12/3. *AP*

He also claimed that Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, "was injured but is still alive." Mojtaba had previously made his first statement since taking office but has not appeared publicly in recent days.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright admitted on 12/3 that the country's navy could not immediately escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz due to a lack of resources and could only deploy operations in a few weeks.

President Trump announced on 3/3 that the US Navy would soon escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz but did not specify a timeframe. This strategic waterway remains congested as shipowners fear Iran will attack their vessels, disrupting the flow of oil and gas from the Persian Gulf to the world.

General Ibrahim Jabbari, an advisor to the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, declared earlier this month that the force had closed the Strait of Hormuz and would attack any vessel attempting to pass through. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that at least 6 merchant ships had been attacked while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz in recent days.

Location of the Strait of Hormuz. *Guardian*

In a message released on 12/3, Iran's new Supreme Leader affirmed that the country would continue to blockade the Strait of Hormuz "if hostilities persist and we deem it an appropriate action."

Experts believe Iran has sustained significant losses since the conflict erupted but has maintained its capacity to launch attacks and close the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the US currently lacks sufficient resources in the region to deploy a large-scale escort operation as President Trump desires.

Ngoc Anh (According to Fox News, CNN, AP)