President Trump reiterates stance on Iran's nuclear program and Straits of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump, in statements made between August 17 and August 19, 2026, reiterated that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains the primary objective of his administration. Writing on Truth Social, Trump declared that under no circumstances should Tehran acquire such capabilities. He further noted that recent U.S. strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities have inflicted significant damage, projecting that it will take Iran a substantial amount of time to restore its nuclear infrastructure.

Regarding the broader conflict, which has been ongoing since late February 2026, Trump stated that the current situation is "very good." He emphasized that while diplomatic efforts are currently stalled and negotiations have been suspended, they may resume in the future. The President also asserted that the United States maintains "full control" over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for global oil shipments that has been effectively closed by Iran since the start of hostilities. Trump remarked on intermittent Iranian efforts to disrupt traffic in the area, including the targeting of drones, while maintaining that the U.S. successfully manages transit through the region.