Trump Urges Iran to Surrender Amid Hormuz Tensions

President Donald Trump urged Iran to surrender on Tuesday, claiming its military had been crippled and dismissing its remaining capabilities amid ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on the United Arab Emirates.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said Iran's leadership privately seeks negotiations despite public threats. "They play games, but let me just tell you, they want to make a deal. And who wouldn't, when your military is totally gone?" he said. Trump described a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports as highly effective, calling it "like a piece of steel" that no one would challenge. He praised Project Freedom, a U.S.-led operation using Navy escorts to reopen commercial shipping lanes through the strait, a vital route for one-fifth of global oil supplies. Trump likened the waterway to a major highway due to its role in energy transport.

The remarks followed an exchange of fire on Monday, when U.S. forces reported destroying six Iranian boats, cruise missiles, and drones while escorting tankers. Iran denied the losses and claimed it fired warning shots at a U.S. warship, forcing it to retreat. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs...