Trump Claims Control of Strait of Hormuz as U.S. Reports Significant Degradation of Iranian Military

President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the United States has effectively taken control of the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that the U.S. military campaign has decimated Iran's armed forces. During his remarks, the President suggested that while the primary military capabilities of Iran have been "wiped out," the U.S. may still conduct "cleanup work" to ensure regional stability. This assertion comes as Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, testified to the Senate Armed Services Committee that approximately 90% of Iran's stockpile of 8,000 naval mines has been destroyed, significantly reducing Tehran's ability to blockade the critical waterway. In Tehran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded by characterizing the current ceasefire as "shaky" and emphasized that a deep lack of trust in the United States remains the primary obstacle to diplomacy. While Araghchi noted that Iran is attempting to maintain the ceasefire to allow for diplomatic efforts, senior IRGC commanders have insisted that no formal negotiations will resume without significant confidence-building measures from Washington. Iran also continues to advocate for a regional security framework that excludes U.S. influence, specifically urging neighbors like the UAE to rely on regional cooperation. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has formally pushed back against allegations regarding civilian infrastructure damage. Admiral Cooper told lawmakers there is no evidence to verify claims that U.S. operations destroyed dozens of Iranian schools and healthcare facilities. Despite the degradation of Iran's conventional naval assets, officials warned that Iran still retains some capabilities to threaten international shipping, and regional tensions remain high as proxy conflicts involving Hezbollah continue to escalate on the periphery of the direct U.S.-Iran standoff.