Trump answering reporters' questions [EPA Yonhap News]

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on the 11th (local time) that the U.S. military had largely cleared the Strait of Hormuz of Iranian mine-laying vessels and that oil should be transported through it.

Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House in Washington D.C. for Ohio, President Trump said, "We have largely removed the mine-laying vessels (in the Strait of Hormuz) overnight," adding, "Almost all of their ships, their navy, is gone."

When asked if he would encourage oil companies to resume oil transportation through the Strait of Hormuz, he replied, "They should. I think they should use that waterway (the Strait of Hormuz)."

President Trump emphasized that Iran "lost its navy and its air force. They have no air defense equipment whatsoever. They don't have radar." He added, "Their leadership is gone, and we could make (Iran's situation) much worse."

He further claimed, "We are leaving certain targets that are to be destroyed, and they could be destroyed this afternoon. In fact, within an hour, they would literally never be able to rebuild their country again."

Regarding media reports investigating an accidental bombing of an Iranian elementary school that resulted in at least 175 deaths in the early stages of the conflict, stating it was by U.S. forces, he responded, "I'm not sure."