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Iran has rejected assertions by President Donald Trump that the United States maintains complete authority over the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran declaring the waterway will remain inaccessible until American policy shifts. According to statements relayed through the Tasnim news agency, Iran’s national security leadership conveyed this position to Chinese diplomatic officials, emphasizing that closure would persist until Washington modifies its approach and accommodates Iranian conditions.
The strategic passageway, which facilitates roughly one-fifth of worldwide petroleum and gas commerce during normal circumstances, has become a central point of contention in ongoing regional hostilities. Iran implemented the blockade following military strikes in late February, and negotiations regarding the strait’s future governance remain deadlocked. Current Iranian demands include sanctions relief, asset unfreezing, and reparations for previous military operations.
Beyond Hormuz, conflict has extended to additional maritime routes. United States military personnel attacked a cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman, disabling its navigation systems after alleging it attempted to breach American naval restrictions. Meanwhile, Yemen-based militant groups conducted a fatal assault on a commercial ship in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, resulting in six deaths including rescue personnel. These incidents have severely constrained commercial navigation through both critical chokepoints, contributing to elevated energy prices globally.
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Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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