BS BRIEF:
- President Donald Trump declared at a Georgia rally that the United States “doesn’t need the Hormuz Strait,” arguing America’s energy position has reduced its dependence on the strategic waterway even as military operations there continue.
- Hours earlier, Trump warned Iran that the U.S. would strike “ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT” for every commercial ship attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions after renewed attacks on maritime traffic.
- The fighting has entered its 11th consecutive night, and fears over disruptions to one of the world’s most important oil shipping lanes have pushed crude prices to six-week highs.
TRUMP SAYS U.S. ‘DOESN’T NEED THE HORMUZ STRAIT’ AS IRAN SHOWDOWN INTENSIFIES
President Trump on Iran:
We don’t need straits. We don’t need anything. we don’t need the Hormuz Strait, but we do it because we have to do it, because we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. pic.twitter.com/qPUkckbAxE
— World Source News (@Worldsource24) July 22, 2026
President Donald Trump argued Wednesday that the United States is no longer dependent on the Strait of Hormuz, telling supporters at a rally in Georgia that America’s growing energy strength has fundamentally changed the strategic equation—even as his administration continues military operations aimed at preventing Iran from threatening one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.
Speaking to a cheering crowd, Trump pointed to what he described as America’s expanding influence over global energy supplies.
“It’s been incredible actually, it’s got serious oil,” Trump said while discussing Venezuela. “In fact, if you combine us and Venezuela, we have about 62% of the world’s oil market, so we don’t need straits, we don’t need anything.”
The audience erupted in applause before Trump pivoted back to Iran.
“We don’t need the Hormuz Strait, but we do it because we have to do it. Because we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon.”
The remarks came just hours after Trump issued one of his strongest warnings yet to Tehran in a Truth Social post.
“For every Ship that Iran shoots at… we will immediately take out ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT,” Trump warned, promising a direct military response to future attacks on commercial shipping.
The latest escalation follows renewed Iranian attacks on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which a substantial share of the world’s seaborne oil passes. The attacks prompted additional U.S. military strikes, and American operations against Iranian targets have now continued for eleven consecutive nights, according to multiple reports.
The intensifying conflict has reverberated far beyond the battlefield.
Oil markets reacted sharply Wednesday, with Brent crude climbing above $94 a barrel before settling at its highest level in roughly six weeks. Analysts cited growing concerns that continued fighting or further disruptions in the Strait could affect global energy supplies and fuel prices. Trump has repeatedly argued that preventing Iran from controlling the Strait is about more than shipping. He insisted Tehran cannot be allowed to leverage regional instability to advance its nuclear ambitions, while maintaining that the United States is in a stronger energy position than in previous decades.
Iran, meanwhile, has warned that any further U.S. attacks on civilian infrastructure would draw a proportional response, raising concerns that the confrontation could widen further if diplomatic efforts remain stalled.
DBS WIRE SOURCES:
- Mediaite – Trump Declares ‘We Don’t Need the Hormuz Strait’
- Reuters – Trump: US will attack Iranian bridge, power plant for every ship targeted in Hormuz
- MarketWatch – Global oil prices settle at 6-week high after topping $95 a barrel, as hopes dim for de-escalation of Iran war
- New York Post – Trump vows to destroy one Iranian bridge or power plant for every shot Tehran takes at Strait of Hormuz shipping
- The Times of Israel – Trump claims Iran is ‘not ready to make a deal,’ but they will be very soon
