Donald Trump hardened his stance against Iran on Tuesday by dismissing an immediate diplomatic solution and describing the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the main flashpoints of the conflict, as under control.
There are no negotiations or talks ongoing, nor scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The official added that “the naval blockade remains in full force and effect” and maintained that all the mines placed in the water “have been removed or detonated.”
Trump also insisted that "the Strait of Hormuz is open and operational," a statement that contrasts with the position expressed by Tehran and the limited maritime traffic recorded in the area.
Trump's statement comes after a 60-day period of negotiations between the United States and Iran concluded this week, with no agreement reached to resolve the conflict, according to AP .
The United States is currently blocking Iranian maritime traffic through the strait, although Washington claims that the route is open for other shipping, the agency reported.
The situation in the strait remains tense: a projectile hit a vessel departing from Hormuz on Tuesday, damaging its engine room, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The incident left one victim among the crew, although it was initially unclear whether they had died or been injured.
Washington's version also clashes with Iran's stance: the main negotiator from Tehran and President of Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, stated that the Strait will remain closed until the United States meets the conditions of a provisional agreement reached in June.
According to Reuters, among Iran's demands are that Washington lift the blockade of Iranian ports and oil sanctions, release frozen Iranian assets, and end threats and military operations on all fronts.
The disagreement shows that Washington and Tehran have opposing views on the status of Hormuz: while Trump insists it is open, operational, and mine-free, Iranian authorities maintain that they will not fully reopen the passage until the United States meets its conditions.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important maritime routes on the planet for energy supply. Before the war, around one-fifth of the oil traded globally passed through this route, according to AP.
Trump's new statement comes just four days after he escalated his rhetoric regarding Hormuz by asserting that he would soon declare the strait "territory of the United States".
In that statement, he also claimed that Washington controlled the maritime passage and that no ship could cross it without U.S. authorization.
Days earlier, Trump had advocated for maintaining economic pressure on Iran and ruled out, for the time being, a new large-scale military offensive.
The naval blockade imposed by Washington was then seen as one of the main tools to increase pressure on Tehran.
The positions between the two countries have remained very distant. Iran presented on August 8 a lengthy list of conditions to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, including the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade, the withdrawal of Washington's forces from the vicinity of the country, the release of frozen assets, and the lifting of sanctions.
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