Iran Hits Back Over Strait of Hormuz US Territory Claim

US vs IRAN – (Special Correspondent/Web Desk) – President Donald Trump has stirred fresh controversy by suggesting the Strait of Hormuz US territory idea could soon become official policy. He made the remarks in New York, saying he might “declare” the busy waterway as American land in the near future.

The comment came at a strange moment. Ship traffic through the strait had nearly frozen on Friday. Only two vessels passed through that day. No crude oil shipments were even visible on tracking data.

That’s a massive drop. Just months ago, more than 130 ships crossed the strait every single day. Now, the numbers tell a very different story.

Iran wasted no time firing back. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the strait has always belonged to Iran and always will. He added that Tehran alone decides when the waterway opens or shuts down.

Gharibabadi also said Iran plans to keep its blockade going until the US accepts what he called a “strategic defeat.” Strong words, and a clear sign that neither side is backing down easily.

Meanwhile, the US military has been busy enforcing its own blockade. Central Command reported redirecting 62 commercial ships. Three vessels were disabled, and two others were boarded, all within a short window.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said this pressure campaign could continue indefinitely. He explained that ships can simply be rotated in and out to keep the blockade running long-term.

Oil markets felt the ripple effects almost immediately. Brent crude climbed nearly one percent, while US crude also ticked upward. Traders are clearly watching this situation closely.

Washington isn’t just relying on military muscle either. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent promised economic measures against Iran unlike anything seen before. Trump even shared the comments publicly, signaling just how serious this pressure campaign has become.

Canada joined in too, slapping sanctions on five Iranian officials Friday. The move targeted people linked to obstructing free navigation around the strait.

Despite all this pressure, Iran hasn’t agreed to restart formal talks. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed no decision has been made yet on resuming negotiations with the US.

He did mention that Qatar and Pakistan remain in contact with Iran, passing messages back and forth. But he was quick to clarify that message exchanges are not the same thing as actual negotiations.

Araghchi also pushed back against calls to extend a supposed 60 day ceasefire. He insisted the earlier Islamabad agreement was about ending the war entirely, not pausing it temporarily.

Pakistan continues backing that same agreement. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called it the only realistic path forward for lasting peace in the region.

Iraq, too, is caught in the middle. The country is negotiating with both Washington and Tehran just to keep its own oil exports flowing safely through Hormuz.

As the weekend begins, tensions remain unresolved. Neither Washington nor Tehran shows signs of stepping back, and the world is watching this narrow but critical waterway more closely than ever.