Control of Hormuz cannot be claimed via tweets; US must accept reality, says Iran

TBM Report

Iran has called on the United States to accept political and military reality regarding the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that control over the strategic waterway cannot be established through social media posts or naval posture. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump characterized Iran as an “extremely rogue regime” and urged Americans to prepare for sustained increases in domestic fuel prices.

Despite minor diplomatic engagements aimed at de-escalating the ongoing conflict, there are no immediate signs of a comprehensive ceasefire. Consequently, commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—a choke point for one-fifth of global oil transit—remains virtually paralyzed.

In a statement posted on X, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi emphasized that the opening or closure of the strait remains strictly under Iranian authority. “Until Washington accepts the reality of its defeat and abandons delusional expectations, the blockade will remain in effect,” Gharibabadi stated. He added that control over the Strait of Hormuz cannot be secured by a tweet, an aircraft carrier, an executive order, or a campaign speech.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed these sentiments, clarifying that Tehran has not made any decision to resume formal negotiations with Washington. Speaking to Iranian news outlet Shahrara News, Araghchi affirmed that maritime traffic through the strait will only resume if the US agrees to Iran’s specific preconditions.

The blockade has driven US gasoline prices up by nearly 29 percent. Speaking at a political rally in Garden City, New York, President Trump defended the economic strain, arguing that higher fuel costs are a necessary trade-off to prevent an adversarial nation from acquiring nuclear weapons.

According to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA), average gasoline prices in the US reached approximately $4.08 per gallon. This spike in inflation poses significant domestic political challenges for the administration ahead of the upcoming November midterm elections. Concurrently, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged that US port blockades and oil export sanctions continue to inflict severe inflationary pressure on Iran’s domestic economy.