WANA (Aug 15) – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has responded to Donald Trump’s remarks about the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that the strategic waterway cannot be seized through threats, aircraft carriers, or political orders, and that Iran will not back down in the face of such threats.

 

Referring to Trump’s statement that he would declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory following Iran’s defeat, Gharibabadi said the waterway could not be taken over through a tweet or a show of military force.

 

He stressed that Iran was not intimidated by threats and would not be deterred by displays of power. Gharibabadi also said the United States had suffered what he described as “serious strategic defeats” and that the Strait of Hormuz remained under Iran’s control.

 

The Iranian deputy foreign minister further said that as long as Washington refused to accept what he called the reality of its “defeat” and continued what he described as “delusional thinking,” Iran would continue enforcing the blockade.

 

He also stressed that the Strait of Hormuz would only be opened or closed by Iran’s decision.