Trump to deliver national address Thursday amid escalating US-Iran conflict over Strait of Hormuz | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump will deliver a prime-time address to the nation on Thursday night, the White House announced, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate following new US measures targeting Iran.
“President Donald J. Trump will address the nation this Thursday, July 16 at 9:00 PM EST,” The White House wrote on X.
Trump announced the speech in a post on Truth Social but did not publish its subject.
“President Trump will address the nation Thursday night at 9:00 PM ET (01:00 GMT Friday). Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump wrote.
The White House did not provide further details about the planned address.
The speech comes after a major announcement by Iran
The announcement comes just hours after Trump said the United States would reimpose a naval blockade on Iran and impose a 20 percent fee on cargo transported through the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant escalation of U.S. pressure on Tehran.
The move heightened concerns about global energy supplies and security in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil flows.
Escalation of the conflict with Tehran
The upcoming speech comes amid renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran, with the two countries exchanging military actions and competing claims for control of the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest US measures represent another step in a rapidly evolving confrontation that has unsettled global markets and raised fears of wider regional instability.
First major national speech since April
Thursday’s address will be Trump’s first major televised address to the nation since April 1, when he delivered a nationally televised speech explaining the administration’s military campaign against Iran after the start of the US-Israeli offensive.
Trump reimposes Iran naval blockade
On Monday, Trump announced the reimposition of a naval blockade on Iranian ports and unveiled plans to levy a 20% fee on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a swift response from Tehran, which insisted it – not Washington – was the rightful guardian of the strategic waterway.
The latest moves mark a sharp escalation in US-Iranian tensions, as the two sides trade military strikes and vie for control of one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
Trump Announces Iran Blockade, 20% Cargo Fee
In a post on Truth Social Trump said the United States would become the “guardian of the Strait of Hormuz” and charge the vessels with providing maritime security.
“The United States will be known as the ‘GUARDIAN OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ,'” Trump wrote.
He added that Washington “will be reimbursed 20% of all cargo transported for all costs necessary to ensure safety and security.”
Trump said the renewed blockade would once again target Iranian ports while allowing vessels from other countries to pass through the strait.
The US military confirmed the blockade would take effect at 2000 GMT on Tuesday.
Iran scoffs at US toll proposal
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected Trump’s proposal, saying Tehran has always protected the Strait of Hormuz and will continue to do so.
“Whoever ensures the safe and secure passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for that service,” Araghchi wrote on X.
He added that Iran would charge a “fair” rate for transit.
“Obviously 20% is too much,” he said.
Iranian military officials have also rejected any US role in managing the strategic waterway.
Khatam al-Anbiya, a spokesman for Iran’s military command, said Tehran would “under no circumstances allow the United States to interfere in the administration” of the Strait of Hormuz.
Military exchanges are intensifying
The competing claims to the strait coincided with the heaviest exchange of attacks since the April ceasefire.
The US military said it struck dozens of targets inside Iran on Sunday.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards responded by announcing attacks targeting US military installations and interests in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Oman.
Air raid sirens sounded over Bahrain, while Kuwait reported that its air defenses had intercepted enemy air targets. The Jordanian military also announced the shooting down of four Iranian missiles.
Read also | Ships secretly pass through Strait of Hormuz as US-Iran conflict intensifies: Report
