What happened: Iran rejects U.S. territory/control claim over the Strait of Hormuz
Iranian officials responded to Donald Trump’s claim that the United States would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory. A senior Iranian deputy foreign minister said the Strait of Hormuz “has been and remains Iranian,” and that only Iran can close or reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The account also says Donald Trump later clarified that he was joking about the U.S. territory claim. Iran’s rejection focused on sovereignty and on Iran’s stated control over closure and reopening.
Background and earlier position: Iran’s stated conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s stated conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz after closure, as described in the account, include ending war and aggression against Iran and Iran’s allies across several Middle East theatres. The same list includes ending crippling sanctions, releasing frozen assets, and providing compensation for war-time damage.
What changed now: control rhetoric alongside shipping attacks and ceasefire breakdown
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