Iran rebuffs Trump's claim on Strait of Hormuz, vows to control waterway

Iran has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's assertion that the Strait of Hormuz would become American territory, with a senior Iranian diplomat stating the waterway's control rests solely with Iran. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi posted on X that the strait "will be opened and closed only under Iran’s command." He added that Iran would continue to enforce the blockade as long as the U.S. did not "accept the reality of defeat."

“

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.

Trump, addressing a rally in Garden City, New York, urged Americans to tolerate slightly higher gasoline prices, citing the cost of preventing "a very evil country" from acquiring nuclear weapons as a rationale for the war he initiated. He declared, "After we finish defeating Iran … pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States."

“

After we finish defeating Iran … pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States.

The conflict has disrupted oil tanker traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which previously handled one-fifth of the world's oil. U.S. gasoline prices have risen approximately 29% compared to the previous year, reaching about $4.08 per gallon. Crude oil futures also saw an increase. Iran is also feeling the economic impact, with President Masoud Pezeshkian attributing high inflation to a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.

“

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