Trump says ‘me and the ayatollah’ could control Strait of Hormuz if Iran deal reached

President Donald Trump said Monday that he and the top leader of Iran could control the Strait of Hormuz if a deal to end the war is reached.

Trump told CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins that the strait could be “jointly controlled” by the United States and Iran. “Maybe me? Maybe me. Me and the ayatollah, whoever the ayatollah is,” he said when asked who specifically would be in control of the body of water in this case.

The Strait of Hormuz has been largely blocked since the U.S. and Israel started the conflict on Feb. 28, although some cargo ships have been able to make their way through the strait despite the wartime conditions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denies that the strait has been closed.

“Strait of Hormuz is not closed. Ships hesitate because insurers fear the war of choice you initiated—not Iran,” he said in a Sunday statement directed