'The Strait of Hormuz cannot be seized by tweet': Iran mocks Trump's plans
Photo: Strait of Hormuz (Getty Images)
The dispute over the Strait of Hormuz has escalated again. In response to US plans, Tehran said it was ready to continue blocking the key shipping route, according to Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.
Gharibabadi sharply reacted to US President Donald Trump's statement that the Strait of Hormuz could be declared US territory.
He said the strategic waterway could not be "seized" with a social media post, an aircraft carrier, an order or a campaign speech.
"The Strait of Hormuz cannot be seized by tweet, nor by aircraft carrier, nor by issuing an order, nor by an election speech. Iran neither fears threats nor cowers before," the deputy foreign minister wrote.
According to him, the Strait of Hormuz "has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian." He also said the strait would be opened and closed only by a decision from Tehran.
"Once and for all, accept the reality: up to this point, you have suffered strategic and heavy defeats," Gharibabadi stressed.
He called on the US to abandon its "fanciful delusions." Otherwise, he said, Iran would continue blocking the strait.
The day before, Trump said he planned to declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory in the near future. Speaking on Long Island, the US president said: "I will very soon declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory."
At the same time, Trump did not explain exactly how Washington planned to grant the strategic waterway such a status. Iran and Oman have jurisdiction over parts of the strait.
