Iran fires back at Trump's claim to declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory, asserting the crucial waterway "will remain Iranian" amid ongoing tensions.

Trump administration officials have said oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are rising, but maritime traffic remains diminished.

Hossein Taeb, the head of Iran's Basij paramilitary unit, declared on Thursday that the strategic waterway was under the 'management and control' of the Islamic Republic.