Iranians ‘don’t know’ who their leader is – Trump claims

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

United States President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran is grappling with internal leadership uncertainty, while asserting that the US now exercises “total control” over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran was “having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is,” alleging intense internal divisions between hardliners and moderates within the country’s political structure.

“They just don’t know,” the president wrote, describing the situation as “crazy” infighting.

The remarks came shortly after Trump announced that he had ordered the US Navy to “shoot and kill” any vessel attempting to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz, signalling a further escalation of tensions in the Gulf.

Trump also claimed that no ship could enter or leave the waterway without US approval, suggesting an effective American control over one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is a vital maritime chokepoint through which a significant portion of global crude oil shipments passes daily.

Any disruption to its operations carries immediate implications for global energy markets and international trade.

While Washington has intensified naval operations in the region, Trump’s assertion of “total control” has not been independently verified.

Iran’s political system, led by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has historically shown resilience despite internal factional debates between conservative and reformist elements.