Iran rejects Trump claim over Strait of Hormuz

Iran has strongly rejected US President Donald Trump's claim that he could declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the strait "has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian", adding that "the Strait of Hormuz cannot be seized by tweet, nor by aircraft carrier". Trump made the comment at a New York rally, saying Americans might pay slightly more for gasoline to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. An unnamed White House official later told the Wall Street Journal the remark was a joke.

The standoff continues as Iran restricts shipping through the waterway, which normally carries about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas. Iran has demanded conditions for reopening, including an end to the war and lifting of sanctions. The UAE state oil company ADNOC reported an attack on one of its vessels. The economic pressure is spreading: US gasoline prices reached $4.08 per gallon, up 29% from a year ago, while Brent crude was heading for a weekly gain of about 6%.

With direct US-Iran talks stalled, the Trump administration has expanded diplomatic outreach to Austria and Greece. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with both countries' foreign ministers, who subsequently spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Austria has offered to host possible future talks. Analysts cited by AP said the involvement of the two European countries should not necessarily be viewed as formal mediation but reflects growing international pressure to prevent the conflict from worsening.