Iran slams Trump’s threat to declare Hormuz US territory

Iran has strongly refuted U.S. President Donald Trump's assertion that he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz part of U.S. territory. The crucial energy waterway, which Iran has previously blockaded, "will remain Iranian," according to Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.

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The Strait of Hormuz has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian. This strait will only be closed and opened under Iran’s command.

Trump had stated at a political rally that after the U.S. defeats Iran, he would declare the Hormuz Strait a U.S. territory. However, an unnamed White House official later clarified that Trump was joking, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Despite the clarification, tensions remain high as attacks in the strait persist. The United Arab Emirates' state-owned oil giant ADNOC reported its vessel was attacked, with Abu Dhabi's foreign ministry blaming Tehran and accusing Iran's Revolutionary Guards of "acts of piracy."

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pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States. It’s true

These incidents highlight the ongoing risks to regional shipping. Iran has also set conditions for reopening the strait, including an end to "war and aggression" against Iran and its allies, the lifting of sanctions, and the release of frozen assets. The closure of Hormuz has significantly impacted global oil prices, creating economic and political pressure on Washington.

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acts of piracy