Iran rejects Trump claims of US control over Hormuz as 'lies'

Iran's military spokesperson dismissed US President Donald Trump's assertion that the United States holds control over the Strait of Hormuz as "lies and fabrications." Speaking on Thursday, Ebrahim Zolfaghari claimed the waterway was fully under Iranian control and that no commercial ship or tanker could pass through without permission and supervision from the Iranian armed forces.

Iran has maintained this control since the start of the Middle East war on February 28, requiring vessels to obtain permission and pay transit fees. Trump's claim that the US has "total control" over the strait, coupled with the prospect of a naval blockade, was dismissed by Iran's Basij forces chief Hossein Taeb, who reiterated that the strait remains under Iranian management and security.

Iranian top diplomat Abbas Araghchi also criticized the US's "miscalculations" regarding the waterway, accusing them of failing intelligence assessments. Iranian lawmakers and security commission member Behnam Saeedi further stated that US and Israeli ships would not be permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz under any circumstances, while also noting that an alternative route through the strait, if negotiated, would not automatically open the waterway unless Iran's demands were met.