US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s top military leadership has been eliminated and asserted that Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is “90% gone” as the conflict between Washington and Tehran continues to intensify. Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Trump said recent US and Israeli strikes had destroyed Iran’s military capabilities, alleging that the country’s navy, air force, air defence systems, and several senior commanders had been wiped out. These claims have not been independently verified.

Trump also announced that the United States would reinstate a blockade targeting Iranian shipping and proposed charging vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz for safe passage. He described the US as the “Guardian of the Hormuz Strait” and said other countries using the strategically important waterway should contribute towards its security. The move comes after renewed military exchanges between the United States and Iran over the weekend, further escalating tensions in the region.

Iran strongly rejected Trump’s statements, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissing the proposal and insisting that Iran has historically safeguarded the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran also pushed back against Trump’s broader claims regarding the conflict, underscoring the widening war of words between the two countries. The latest developments have raised fresh concerns over regional stability and the security of one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.