Trump intends to declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory — Iran rejects negotiations
Iran announced it has not yet decided to resume negotiations with the US, clarifying that back-channel messages do not constitute a dialogue. Tehran also set conditions for opening the Strait of Hormuz, dismissing Trump's territorial claims as "fantasies."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi clarified in an interview with the "Shahra News" network that Tehran has not yet made any decision on resuming negotiations with the United States, dismissing reports of contacts regarding an alleged ceasefire extension.
"The Islamabad memorandum was about the end of the war," Araghchi explained. "The US violated that memorandum, and clashes resumed. We never had an agreement defined as a 'ceasefire' to extend. The situation has entered a completely new phase."
Regarding the "60-day" reports, the diplomat noted that it was merely a window of opportunity for a final agreement that no longer exists. Araghchi admitted to indirect communication via Qatar and Pakistan but insisted: "This should in no way be interpreted as negotiations. We have not made any decision to reopen talks with the US."
Addressing separate contacts with Oman, Araghchi distinguished them from the crisis with Washington: "Our talks with Oman are purely technical, concerning shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz. We are planning a temporary route, but the actual opening of the strait depends on conditions the US must meet." Deputy Minister Kazem Gharibabadi added that the strait "will be opened and closed only by Iranian order," urging the US to stop its "fantasies."
These remarks followed US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he intends to declare the Strait of Hormuz as American territory. Speaking in New York, Trump framed this as part of his strategy to "defeat Iran."
"After we finish defeating Iran, I will very soon declare the Strait of Hormuz as territory of the United States," Trump declared, without providing legal details. In a separate interview with "Fox News," he added: "We are in total control; we own it in the true sense of the word. We allow ships to enter only if we want them to." The president described the naval blockade as a "steel wall" costing Tehran hundreds of millions of dollars daily.
Trump emphasized that the central goal is preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. "We cannot let Iran get nuclear weapons," he said, warning: "If they attack, we will respond with 100 times greater force." He also urged US citizens to accept rising fuel prices as a necessary cost to ensure national security, despite the inflationary pressure ahead of the November midterm elections.
