Toasting the king at the banquet, Trump touched on the Middle East crisis, saying the U.S. has “militarily defeated” Iran.
“And we are never going to let that opponent ever — Charles agrees with me, even more than I do — we are never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon,” he added.
Asked about Trump’s claim, a palace spokesperson told NBC News “The king is naturally mindful of his government’s long-standing and well-known position on the prevention of nuclear proliferation.’
Meanwhile the U.S. naval blockade continued in an effort to impose economic pain that might force Tehran into concessions.
The rial’s record low — trading at around 1.8 million to $1 — could further fuel inflation in Iran, where prices have risen and widespread job losses have been felt amid the war. Trump is hoping to deprive the regime of a key source of funds by cutting off its ability to export oil.
U.S. Marines boarded another commercial vessel, the military said late Tuesday, but ultimately allowed it to carry on its way.
Tehran has attacked three commercial ships and seized two of them in the maritime standoff.
NBC News analysis of traffic movement through the strait showed that it remains largely at a standstill, with 11 ships transiting through it in the past 12 hours.
There was a sign of progress for one import-dependent U.S. ally, at least.
The Japanese-owned Idemitsu Maru tanker, which entered the strait on Tuesday, was confirmed by the Japanese government to have successfully transited through the waterway on Wednesday morning, sailing toward Japan.