Iran Rejects Trump's Hormuz Territory Claim as 'Delusions': 'The Strait Will Remain Iranian'

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi rebutted President Trump's Aug 14 claim that he would declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory, writing on X that 'the Strait of Hormuz cannot be seized by tweet, nor by aircraft carrier, nor by issuing an order, nor by an election speech,' and that it 'has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian; this strait will only be closed and opened under Iran's command.' Gharibabadi added that 'as long as you do not accept the reality of defeat and cease your fanciful delusions, Iran will continue to enforce the blockade.' The exchange came as an ADNOC tanker was struck for a third time in less than a week.