US President Donald Trump has described the Strait of Hormuz as "American territory" and reiterated that Iran will never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, as <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/donald-trump-says-us-is-essentially-controlling-straits-will-soon-take-full-control-amid-iran-tensions-23645892" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high</a>.
Addressing a rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Trump said the US would not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.
"We cannot let them have a nuclear weapon; we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon, or you will see some very bad things."
"We went down, and we stopped them; they will never have a nuclear weapon," he added.
Trump also claimed that Iran was seeking an agreement with Washington, but questioned whether the US would accept a deal while asserting that the strategic waterway was under American control.
"They want to make a deal so badly, we don't even know if we want [a deal] because I view the Strait of Hormuz as an American territory right now, it's an American territory," Trump said, according to Al Jazeera.
<h2>US President repeats claim of control over waterway</h2>
Earlier, while speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews before leaving for Myrtle Beach, Trump claimed that the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/trump-says-us-has-total-control-over-strait-of-hormuz-vows-to-keep-hold-23644556" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">United States had "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz</a>.
He also expressed support for the idea of declaring the strategic waterway US territory.
Trump said Washington controlled the region connected to the Strait of Hormuz amid what he described as a blockade against Iran.
"We're just going to sort of see what happens, and we have total control, as you know, of the border; we have total control -- if you look at the blockade, we have total control of that entire region having to do with the Strait of Hormuz," Trump said.
He maintained that Iran wanted to negotiate but was not prepared to accept what he considered an acceptable agreement.
"So they would love to make a deal, but they're not ready to make the right deal in my opinion," Trump said.
<h2>Iran rejects Trump's claim over Strait</h2>
Trump's comments come amid continuing <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/photo/in-photos-us-iran-tensions-over-the-strait-of-hormuz-escalate-after-fresh-attacks-112023/1" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">tensions between Washington and Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz</a>, a strategically important waterway through which a significant share of global energy supplies passes.
Trump had earlier shared an AI-generated image on his Truth Social platform depicting the waterway as "NEW U.S. Territory", while continuing to claim that the United States had control over the region.
Iran has rejected Trump's claims regarding the waterway.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Trump's assertions about the Strait of Hormuz would be "corrected" either by circumstances or by Iran.
"Just as Trump correctly wrote the name of the eternal Persian Gulf, soon his delusion regarding the Strait of Hormuz will either be corrected or we will correct the delusions of this deluded man," Gharibabadi said in a post on X.
<h2>Iranian officials criticise Trump's remarks</h2>
Iran's Supreme National Security Council head Mohsen Rezaei also criticised Trump's comments.
"The gap between America's inability to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and its claim to own it is greater than the 7,000-mile distance between Washington and the Strait itself. Welcome to the post-American order in the Persian Gulf," Rezaei said in a post on X, according to the report.
The exchange of statements has added to tensions surrounding the strategic waterway, which is a major route for global oil and gas shipments.
<h2>Iran sets conditions for reopening Strait</h2>
Trump has also recently announced what he described as the "most crushing economic operation ever taken" against Iran.
He warned countries providing financial, business or government support to Tehran that they could face "tremendous economic consequences".
Iran, meanwhile, has continued to link the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to specific demands from Washington.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran would not reopen the waterway until the United States fulfils commitments under a 14-point memorandum of understanding.
The conditions include lifting the blockade, releasing frozen Iranian assets and easing oil sanctions.
The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/west-asia-conflict-iran-refuses-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz-until-us-meets-tehrans-demands-23643927" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">dispute over the Strait of Hormuz</a> remains a central point of tension between the two countries, with Washington asserting control over the waterway and Tehran rejecting the claim while setting conditions for its reopening.
(With inputs from ANI)

Donald Trump calls the Strait of Hormuz “American territory” and vows Iran will never get a nuclear weapon as tensions between Washington and Tehran rise

Donald Trump calls Strait of Hormuz 'American territory', says Iran will 'never' have nuclear weapon

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Donald Trump also claimed that Iran was seeking an agreement with Washington, but questioned whether the US would accept a deal while asserting that the strategic waterway was under American control

Donald Trump calls Strait of Hormuz 'American territory', vows Iran will never have nuclear weapon

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