WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump announced on July 13 that he will speak to the nation at 9 p.m. ET on July 16.
The president alerted the world with a Truth Social post sent at 2:45 p.m. ET, without providing further details on the address.
The announcement came after Trump said the United States was reinstating the blockade on Iranian ports after the collapse of a ceasefire agreement between the two countries.
He said the United States would act as “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz, imposing 20 percent tolls to cover the cost of securing the critical waterway.
“The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran,” Trump posted to his social media platform earlier in the day, noting that Iranian ships are not allowed to pass.
“All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait.”
Trump last addressed the nation in a formal, primetime setting on April 1, when he spoke for 20 minutes about the bombing of Iran in a military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury.
Trump last addressed the nation in a formal, primetime setting on April 1, when he spoke for 20 minutes about the bombing of Iran in a military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
