‘Cannot be seized with a tweet’: Iran rejects Trump’s plan to declare Strait of Hormuz US territory

Iran has rejected President Donald Trump's claim that the Strait of Hormuz could be declared a US territory, asserting that Washington refuses to acknowledge Tehran's defeat. As a 60-day negotiating period between the US and Iran nears its end on Monday, with no direct talks currently underway, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi emphasized that the strategic waterway cannot be controlled through political declarations or military force.

Gharibabadi stated, "The strait will only be opened and closed under Iran's command," urging the US to "accept the reality of defeat and stop indulging in delusions." The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy route, carried about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas before the conflict. Trump's announcement to declare the waterway a "territory of the United States" came after he accused Iran of being "very badly defeated" and suggested asserting US control over the Strait.

Oil markets have remained volatile since the conflict began, with crude futures rising by about $1 a barrel on Friday and Brent oil on track for a weekly gain of around 6%. The dispute comes as Iran has repeatedly asserted its authority over the waterway, while the US demands the restoration of free passage, threatening to complicate broader efforts to reach an agreement between the two nations.