Iran Dismisses Trump’s Threat to Claim Strait of Hormuz

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has responded to US President Donald Trump’s vow to declare the Strait of Hormuz as US territory, asserting that the waterway "has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian." Gharibabadi stated that Iran would continue to enforce its maritime blockade, adding that the strait would only open or close under Tehran's command. This followed comments from President Trump at a Long Island rally, where he claimed he would annex the strategic waterway following what he described as a decisive military victory over Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi clarified that no decision has been made to resume direct negotiations with Washington. He emphasized that message exchanges via regional intermediaries do not constitute formal negotiations and that Iran is working toward an interim framework to end the war. US Vice President JD Vance stated that Washington's primary goals remain ensuring global energy price stability and preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities. Additionally, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the administration is preparing to impose unprecedented economic isolation measures against Tehran.