By Ginika Igboke
U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes Iran’s leadership is in disarray, citing internal divisions and ongoing infighting as the United States asserts control over the Strait of Hormuz.
“Iran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is! They just don’t know!” Trump wrote in an April 23 post on Truth Social. He described a power struggle between “Hardliners,” whom he said are losing on the battlefield, and “Moderates,” whom he claimed are gaining influence despite “not being very moderate at all.”
Trump also stated that the U.S. military has established full control over the waterway. “We have total control over the Strait of Hormuz. No ship can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy. It is ‘Sealed up Tight,’ until such time as Iran is able to make a DEAL,” he wrote.
A day earlier, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration believes it has identified an Iranian official capable of signing a deal to end the conflict, though no name was disclosed. She added that U.S. officials have observed signs of fragmentation within the Iranian regime.
The United States Central Command said on April 22 that it had directed 31 vessels to return to port or change course since enforcing a blockade on Iran earlier this month.
Trump referenced the reported divisions on April 21 when he announced the United States would extend a ceasefire with Iran until its leadership could present a unified negotiating position. Meanwhile, an Iranian government spokesperson told state-run media that a decision had not yet been made on whether to participate in further talks with the United States. Earlier negotiations held in Pakistan did not yield an agreement, and another round had been expected before the ceasefire extension was announced.
In a separate April 23 post, Trump said he had ordered the U.S. military to “shoot to kill” Iranian vessels suspected of laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. He added that U.S. minesweeping operations were ongoing to clear explosive devices from the waterway.
The U.S. military also reported seizing another tanker allegedly linked to Iranian oil smuggling. Ship-tracking data placed the vessel, Majestic X, near the previously seized tanker Tifani in the Indian Ocean.
“International waters cannot be used as a shield by sanctioned actors,” the Pentagon said in a statement, adding that it would continue to restrict illicit maritime activity.
On April 22, Iran reportedly attacked three cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz and seized two, describing the action as retaliation for the U.S. naval blockade. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the strait would remain effectively closed and claimed reopening it would be “impossible” while the U.S. blockade continues.
Recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, which lasted several weeks, reportedly killed dozens of senior regime figures, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was named as a successor but has not been seen publicly since mid-March.
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