President Donald Trump proclaimed the Strait of Hormuz has been re-opened, but that's not exactly how he put it.
The 79-year-old president notified Americans that Iran would begin to allow "full passage" in what he inaccurately identified as "the Strait of Iran," the narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that has been closed to most commercial shipping traffic since Trump authorized a joint U.S.-Israel military operation.
"Now, I don't know if itwas a typo or maybe a Freudianslip," said CNN's John Berman. "But if you step back, thereason I'm asking it this way,because if you step back, youknow, a mile here and look atthis last seven weeks, there arethose who suggest one of theimpacts your long term might bethat Iran does have now fullcontrol of that strait, that ithas become the Strait of Iran. What do you think of that?"
Retired admiral James Stavridis agreed the president's announcement was confusing, and he tried to make sense of that statement and subsequent posts Trump made explaining the current situation.
"Well, at least he didn't sayit's the 'Strait of Trump,'" Stavridis said, echoing an idea the president has publicly discussed. "But, let's face it, you'reexactly right that the concernis, hey, if we allow Iran tokind of open and close theswitch and decide whether it'sopen or not, are we willingsovereignty over to them?That's why I am encouraged bythe second posting he made, whichis that the blockade remains ineffect. That's sort of yourstopper in a hand of bridge, ifyou will. So I think probablyyour point, not the most elegantlanguage in the first post,second post, we're still on topof this. We're watching it, but before we get off thisconversation and I know we'rejust on the hour, it is goodnews. It is a step by Iranthat could help close the big deal, the negotiation, perhapsas soon as this weekend."
"There's ahumanitarian side to this, butthere's also a big strategicplay here," he added. "Let's hope both sidesare indicating they've come alittle bit closer as a result ofthis statement."