President Donald Trump has said he will declare the Strait of Hormuz part of the United States as soon as Iran is “completely defeated.” He made the remarks Friday at a rally in New York, prompting a sharp response from Iran.
Since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war against Iran on February 28, Tehran has effectively shut down naval passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has repeatedly claimed the strategic waterway is under US control, but Iran has rejected the assertion.
Speaking at a political rally held at a police academy in New York State on Friday, Trump said: “Iran is being very badly defeated. Once Iran is completely defeated, I will soon declare the Strait of Hormuz part of the United States.” He added: “That’s true.”
A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, later said Trump was joking, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi responded Saturday in a post on X, insisting: “The Strait of Hormuz was Iran’s, is Iran’s, and will remain Iran’s.” He added: “It will only be closed or opened on Iran’s orders.”
Trump launched the war against Iran alongside Israel on February 28. In response, Tehran established control over a significant portion of the Strait of Hormuz. The critical waterway is vital for the transport of fuel and other goods globally.
The standoff over the Strait of Hormuz between the US and Iran continues. Iran has restricted access to a large section of shipping through the strait, while the US Navy has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports in an effort to cripple Iran’s economy.
Speaking to supporters and police officers at the rally, Trump said: “The blockade is under our control. No ship can pass without our permission.”
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report