An unnamed White House official clarified that Trump was joking
Iran on Saturday fired back at US President Donald Trump’s claim that he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US 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 US 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.”
