Iran claims that American troops have been expelled from the Strait

ON 16 AUGUST, THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE IRANIAN ARMY, KHATAMI, STATED TODAY THAT UNITED STATES FORCES HAD BEEN EXPELLED FROM THE PERSIAN GULF, THE GULF OF OMAN AND THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ. KHATAMI STRESSED THAT THE UNITED STATES MILITARY BASES IN THE AREA COULD NEVER RETURN TO THE STATUS QUO ANTE AND THAT IRAN WOULD NEVER ALLOW SUCH A SITUATION TO OCCUR. (CCTV INTERNATIONAL TIMES)