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Iran defiant on strait as Trump tells Americans to accept high gas prices
🇸🇬 Singapore /Conflict & Security

Iran defiant on strait as Trump tells Americans to accept high gas prices

From CNA · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Iran's deputy foreign minister stated the Strait of Hormuz cannot be seized by external force, asserting Iran's control.
  • President Trump urged Americans to accept higher gas prices due to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
  • Oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has significantly decreased since the war began, with only a few vessels transiting daily.

Cairo – Iran's deputy foreign minister asserted that the Strait of Hormuz remains under Iranian command, warning the U.S. to accept defeat. This statement comes amid continued tensions and a significant reduction in oil tanker traffic through the vital waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz cannot be seized by a tweet or an aircraft carrier, by issuing an order or by delivering an election speech

— Kazem GharibabadiIran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that external forces cannot control the Strait of Hormuz.

"The Strait of Hormuz cannot be seized by a tweet or an aircraft carrier, by issuing an order or by delivering an election speech," said Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi in an X post early Saturday, August 15, 2026. He added, "This strait will be opened and closed only under Iran's command, and so long as you do not accept the reality of defeat and stop indulging in fantasies, Iran will continue to enforce the blockade."

Before the U.S. and Israel launched their war on February 28, approximately one-fifth of the world's oil exports passed through the strait daily. However, recent data from ship-tracking firm Kpler shows only two vessels transited the strait on Friday: a grain ship entering Iranian waters and an empty dry bulk ship departing. A separate empty liquefied petroleum products tanker was also observed sailing into the Gulf.

This strait will be opened and closed only under Iran's command, and so long as you do not accept the reality of defeat and stop indulging in fantasies, Iran will continue to enforce the blockade

— Kazem GharibabadiGharibabadi asserted Iran's continued control over the Strait of Hormuz, linking it to the U.S. accepting defeat.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Americans to tolerate slightly higher gasoline prices, framing it as a necessary cost for preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Speaking at a rally in New York on Friday, Trump stated that paying "a tiny little bit more for your gasoline" is worthwhile. The average U.S. gasoline price stood at approximately $4.08 per gallon on Friday, a 29 percent increase from $3.16 a year prior, contributing to inflation concerns.

a tiny little bit more for your gasoline

— Donald TrumpPresident Trump urged Americans to accept slightly higher gasoline prices due to the conflict with Iran.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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