Washington, May 28 (V7N)- US President Donald Trump has dismissed reports of a possible agreement regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz, amid fresh reports of US attacks in southern Iran that have further heightened tensions between the two countries.
According to a report by Reuters published on Thursday, Trump rejected claims that any country would gain control over the strategically important waterway.
Speaking to reporters during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump said control of the Strait of Hormuz would not be handed over to any single nation.
“No one will take control of the Strait of Hormuz. This is international waters,” Trump said, effectively rejecting reports aired earlier by Iranian state television.
On Wednesday, Iranian state TV claimed that under an informal framework agreement, commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would return to pre-war conditions within a month and that Iran would oversee shipping operations there in cooperation with Oman.
Trump also issued strong remarks regarding Oman, stating, “Oman will behave like everyone else, or we will have to take action.”
However, neither the White House nor the Omani Embassy in Washington immediately commented on the matter.
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that the country’s air defense system was activated briefly in the early hours of Thursday following reports of renewed tensions. Earlier this week, the United States launched attacks on missile bases and mine facilities in southern Iran, describing the strikes as acts of self-defense.
Reacting to Trump’s remarks, Ebrahim Azizi, head of the National Security Committee of the Iranian Parliament, said US pressure would not force Iran to retreat from its demands regarding uranium enrichment, control over the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of sanctions.
“Trump is threatening on one hand and calling for compromise on the other. This is an attempt to break the strategic deadlock,” Azizi said.
The conflict between the United States and Iran intensified after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 this year. The war has now entered its third month, leaving thousands dead and causing significant instability in global fuel markets.
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