The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States adheres to the terms of an interim agreement, Iranian chief negotiator and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Tuesday, directly countering assertions by US President Donald Trump that the waterway is open.
In a briefing to parliament, Ghalibaf stated that the strait will stay shut until Washington complies with the temporary deal’s provisions, including lifting the naval blockade and sanctions, unfreezing Iranian assets, and terminating all military threats and operations.
The Iranian statement followed comments by Trump, who posted on Truth Social that there are no ongoing or scheduled communications or talks with Iran following the formal expiration on Monday of a memorandum of understanding signed on June 17. Trump stated that the US naval blockade “remains fully in place and in effect,” whilst also claiming that the “Strait of Hormuz is open and functioning, and all sea mines have been removed or detonated.”
Shortly before his post, Trump shared an image depicting a map of the strait—located between Iran and Oman at the entrance to the Gulf—circled and labelled “New American Territory.” Asked on Monday about earlier statements regarding plans to declare the waterway US territory, Trump called it a “great idea,” adding, “I mean we control it.”
Trump stated on Monday that the United States is not seeking to extend the memorandum of understanding because Tehran “will not make the deal” Washington considers necessary. Reaffirming that the US holds complete control over the strait via its blockade, Trump acknowledged Iran’s capability to lay ship-threatening mines but described the blockade as highly effective, noting that the US handles millions of barrels of oil weekly, the strait is open, and oil prices are falling.
Addressing Iran’s internal situation, Trump stated that inflation in the country had reached 300 percent, describing Iran as being in a severe crisis and its military as “completely defeated.” He warned that more stringent measures than the current ones could be implemented.
