Trump Threatens to Seize Strait of Hormuz; Iran Pushes Back

U.S. President Donald Trump said he wanted to declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory after Iran was “defeated,” then claimed Washington now had full control of the waterway. In another statement, Trump also threatened to strike 100 times harder if Iran attacked the U.S. again. Iran responded immediately. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi wrote on X that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be seized through a post, an aircraft carrier, an order or a campaign speech, and stressed that Iran is not afraid of U.S. threats. Tehran said the strait will only be opened or closed under Iranian control. The tensions came as shipping traffic in Hormuz was described as nearly paralyzed after two vessels were attacked again.