Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, are seen from Musandam, Oman, Aug. 6. Reuters-Yonhap
TEHRAN — Iran on Saturday fired back at U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz part of U.S. territory, saying the crucial energy waterway it has blockaded "will remain Iranian."
Trump has repeatedly said the strait, which Tehran effectively closed at the start of the Middle East war in late February, is under U.S. control — an assertion the Islamic republic denies.
"The Strait of Hormuz has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on X.
"This strait will only be closed and opened under Iran's command."
