By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-says-we-dont-need-strait-of-hormuz-after-allies-wont-help-u-s-escort-ships Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Trump says 'we don't need' Strait of Hormuz after allies won't help U.S. escort ships Politics Mar 20, 2026 5:42 PM EDT President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran "from a military standpoint, they're finished" but they're "clogging up" the Strait of Hormuz. Watch Trump's remarks in the video player above. Speaking with reporters as he departed the White House, Trump said it would be a "simple military maneuver" to keep the vital shipping lane open but it requires help, which he described as "ships" and "volume." READ MORE: Trump says he's been rejected by NATO, most allies to join mission to secure critical Strait of Hormuz He said "it would be nice" if the countries that rely on the strait would get involved in helping to keep it open. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Asked by a reporter about the execution of three men accused of violence during Iran's anti-government protests last year, Trump said it was "terrible." "These are thugs and animals and horrible people," Trump said. "Can't hit anybody harder than we've hit them. But I'm not surprised, they executed three young people for protesting." Trump was also asked about plans to have U.S. forces further target Kharg Island in Persian Gulf, which is vital to Iran's oil network. He responded, "I may have a plan, I may not" but said he wouldn't tell reporters one way or the other. "It's certainly a place that people are talking about. But I can't tell you that," Trump added. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran "from a military standpoint, they're finished" but they're "clogging up" the Strait of Hormuz. Watch Trump's remarks in the video player above. Speaking with reporters as he departed the White House, Trump said it would be a "simple military maneuver" to keep the vital shipping lane open but it requires help, which he described as "ships" and "volume." READ MORE: Trump says he's been rejected by NATO, most allies to join mission to secure critical Strait of Hormuz He said "it would be nice" if the countries that rely on the strait would get involved in helping to keep it open. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Asked by a reporter about the execution of three men accused of violence during Iran's anti-government protests last year, Trump said it was "terrible." "These are thugs and animals and horrible people," Trump said. "Can't hit anybody harder than we've hit them. But I'm not surprised, they executed three young people for protesting." Trump was also asked about plans to have U.S. forces further target Kharg Island in Persian Gulf, which is vital to Iran's oil network. He responded, "I may have a plan, I may not" but said he wouldn't tell reporters one way or the other. "It's certainly a place that people are talking about. But I can't tell you that," Trump added. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now