Tehran Dismisses Trump’s Claim to Seize Strait of Hormuz

Trump’s assertion, made during a police academy event, was framed as part of an effort to "finish defeating" Iran. He suggested that potential increases in gasoline prices were a necessary trade-off to prevent the country from obtaining nuclear weapons. However, a White House official later clarified to the Wall Street Journal that the former president’s comments were intended as a joke.

Tehran remains unmoved by the rhetoric. Gharibabadi emphasized that the strait remains under Iranian command, noting that the blockade enforced since the conflict began in February will persist until the U.S. accepts the reality of its strategic setbacks. This stance was echoed by Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for the Khatam-al Anbiya command, who labeled U.S. claims of controlling the waterway as fabrications. According to Iranian officials, no vessel passes through the region without the explicit permission and supervision of their armed forces.