US-Iran War News LIVE: Claims don’t change reality, says Iran in response to Trump’s ‘US in total control of Hormuz’

The conflict between the United States and Iran, which began on February 28, is now in its 167th day as of Wednesday, August 13. Despite the cessation of direct attacks, both nations have been unable to reach a mutually acceptable resolution, causing disruptions beyond the Middle East, particularly to global oil trade. Iran has long used the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which about one-fifth of the world's crude oil transport passes, as a key point of leverage in the dispute.

In the early stages of the war, Iran closed the Strait, forcing ships to reroute or face Iranian missile threats. In response, the United States imposed a naval blockade on the Strait, further constraining Iranian oil shipments. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that it had redirected 59 commercial vessels, disabled three, and boarded two as part of efforts to enforce the blockade.

President Donald Trump recently declared that the U.S. holds "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz and that the blockade will remain in place. However, Iran has dismissed Trump's claim, asserting that the Strait remains blocked and will not reopen until Iran's demands are met. The European Union and 26 other nations have called on Iran to halt the execution of protesters and release political prisoners, condemning the country's use of the death penalty.

Moreover, Iran has condemned U.S. threats and airstrikes against its civilian infrastructure, labeling them as "war crimes" and "unprecedented violations" of the Geneva Conventions.