Iran rebuffs Trump: 'Hormuz cannot be seized by a tweet'

Iran has delivered a sharp rebuke to US President Donald Trump following his assertion that the United States would declare the strategic Strait of Hormuz as American territory in the near future. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected the claim outright, stating on Friday that the vital waterway "cannot be seized by a tweet, an aircraft carrier, an order, or an election speech." His remarks underscore the escalating war of words between Tehran and Washington over control of one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints for global oil shipments.

Diplomatic defiance and strategic warnings

Gharibabadi, writing on the social media platform X, emphasized that Iran remains undeterred by American military posturing or rhetorical threats. "Iran is neither afraid of threats nor can it be intimidated by a show of force," he declared. He further asserted that the Strait of Hormuz has historically belonged to Iran, currently does, and will continue to do so in the future. The diplomat warned that the strait would only be opened or closed at Tehran's discretion, urging Washington to accept its strategic setbacks in the region.

Trump's territorial claim and military posture

Trump had earlier claimed on his Truth Social platform that the US Navy had imposed a complete blockade on the Strait, asserting "full control" over the passage and vowing to officially designate it as US territory "very soon" after defeating Iran. The US president's aggressive stance marks a significant escalation in rhetoric, though it remains unclear what concrete military or diplomatic steps would accompany such a declaration. Washington's naval presence in the Gulf has been a persistent source of friction between the two nations.

Iranian military reinforces position

Reinforcing the diplomatic stance, Ibrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters—the nation's highest military coordinating body—rejected Trump's claims outright. "No vessel will be permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without Iran's permission and supervision," Zolfaqari stated firmly. Iranian authorities have consistently maintained that the strait will not be reopened to normal traffic as long as the US continues its naval intervention and fails to honor the terms of the June framework agreement between Tehran and Washington. The standoff continues to raise concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supplies.