Tehran insisted Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz remains “under Iran’s control and management,” rejecting claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that American forces have taken charge of the strategic passage.
The exchange began Wednesday when Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social that the United States maintained “total control” over the waterway, adding, “I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT.”
In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X that Washington was making “an even bigger miscalculation on the Strait of Hormuz,” attributing previous policy decisions to intelligence failures. Hossein Taeb, head of Iran’s Basij paramilitary unit, separately reiterated through the semi-official Fars news agency that Iran maintains full operational oversight of the passage.
The rhetoric follows recently disclosed security concerns surrounding the U.S. executive branch. Intelligence gathered by U.S. and Turkish agencies regarding an alleged Iranian plan to fire a missile at Air Force One prompted a secretive transfer last month, where Mr. Trump moved between aircraft using a catering truck.
Maritime frictions in the region have also expanded into environmental disputes. Iranian officials reported an oil spill reaching the shores of Qeshm Island, alleging that a foreign bulk carrier caused the slick.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei posted on X questioning who would cover the damages, asking whether liability rests with “the nations that consume the inexpensive energy exported from our region, the shipping insurers, or the aggressors and their partners who have transformed the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman into a theater for military operations.” Baqaei asserted that past marine degradation has resulted in “trillions of dollars in damage on Iran’s coastal areas,” though he did not outline specific financial demands.
Southeastern regional military dynamics are shifting alongside the waterway standoff. Turkish Defense Ministry Spokesman Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk announced Thursday that Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan plan to hold joint air, sea, land, and unmanned systems exercises.
The drills fall under the newly formed Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed on Aug. 7. Aktürk stated that the pact is defensive, serving as a “complementary mechanism to the international security architecture” rather than a competitor to NATO.
Meanwhile, military operations at sea have drawn scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers. Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao regarding conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Blumenthal cited reports of food shortages, contaminated water, broken plumbing, and mental health issues after the carrier logged over 250 consecutive days at sea without port visits. A Navy official told CBS News that combat disruptions in Middle Eastern supply hubs forced leadership to prioritize food and hygiene items, confirming that crew members currently have access to clean water, functional air conditioning, and healthy meals.
On the diplomatic front, more than 30 countries—including France, Britain, Canada, Germany, and members of the European Union—issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s use of capital punishment against protesters, accusing Tehran of using the death penalty to “silence dissent.”
Araghchi dismissed the statement on X, writing that “countries like France should stop lecturing the world about ‘human rights'” and accusing Western nations of hypocrisy given their support for Israeli military actions in Gaza.
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