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

The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil trade, remains under strict Iranian control, according to Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi. He emphasized that the strait can only be opened or closed by Iran itself and will continue to enforce the blockade against any attempts to pass through without permission.

This stance was echoed by President Donald Trump, who urged Americans to accept higher gasoline prices while acknowledging Iran as an "evil" nation that could not possess nuclear weapons. The average US price of a gallon of gasoline reached $4.08 on Friday, marking a 29% increase from the previous year. Only two vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, a sharp decline from the pre-war average of over 130 ships daily.

The attacks on Emirati vessels and the targeting of an Aramco facility in Saudi Arabia by Iran-backed Houthis highlight the growing tensions in the region. Despite these events, there are no indications of renewed peace talks between the US and Iran, with the US continuing its deployment of an aircraft carrier to support the war effort.