Iran Rejects Trump's Strait of Hormuz Claim, Maintains Blockade

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated early Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed and under Iran's command until the United States accepts the reality of defeat.

Gharibabadi posted on X that the strait cannot be seized by tweet, nor by aircraft carrier, nor by issuing an order, nor by an election speech. Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said early Saturday that no negotiations have occurred between Iran and the United States, though Qatar and Pakistan are exchanging messages. Araghchi added that Iran has not decided whether to resume talks and requires the US to meet conditions regarding the strait for shipping to resume.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre reported Saturday that a bulk carrier was struck by an unknown projectile in the waterway. United States President Donald Trump said Friday he will soon declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory after defeating Iran. Trump described the US naval blockade of Iranian ports as an unstoppable wall of steel that allows Washington to effectively govern the waterway.

He urged Americans to accept slightly higher gasoline prices, stating it is worth the cost to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The average US price of a gallon of gasoline was about $4.08 on Friday, a 29% increase from a year earlier, according to the American Automobile Association. Crude oil futures rose $1 a barrel Friday, with benchmark Brent futures on track for a 6.0% weekly gain.

Analysis from ship-tracking firm Kpler showed only two vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, with no crude oil shipments visible. Before the war, over 130 vessels typically transited the strait, which handled one-fifth of the world's oil. The US and Israel launched the war on February 28. A 60-day negotiating period, established in mid-June, concludes on Monday with few direct negotiations having taken place. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated Thursday that new, unprecedented economic measures against Iran are forthcoming next week.