ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States has already begun taking steps to control the Strait of Hormuz amid the war with Iran.

Asked in an interview with Israel’s Channel 14 whether Washington is capable of taking control of the strategic waterway, he replied: “Yes, sure, it’s already happening.”

Trump also highlighted what he described as close coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Iran.

“The coordination is very close. We have a good relationship. It couldn’t be better,” he said.

He added that he believes Iran “badly” wants a deal.

“I think they want to do (it) very badly. Anybody would want a deal if you are getting decimated, right?” he said.

The US and Israel have been carrying out airstrikes on Iran since Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people so far, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.