President Trump said there are "no talks" with Iran and insisted the Strait of Hormuz is "open and operating," claiming mines have been removed and a US blockade remains in effect. Iran says the strait will stay closed until the US lifts the blockade, lifts oil sanctions and releases frozen assets; Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reiterated those demands. The UKMTO reported a vessel struck off Oman, damaging its engine room and causing a crew casualty as investigations continue. With direct US–Iran negotiations stalled, Iran and Oman are holding separate talks to manage ship transits amid heightened regional tensions.
Trump Says 'No Talks' With Iran, Calls Strait Of Hormuz 'Open And Operating' Amid Rising Tensions
Trump says 'no talks' taking place with Iran and claims Strait of Hormuz is 'open and operating'
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said there were "no talks or conversations" underway or planned with Tehran, while insisting the Strait of Hormuz remained "open and operating." In a post on Truth Social he added that "all water mines have been removed or detonated" and said the US naval blockade continued to be enforced "in full force and effect." Earlier, he posted a map labeling the Strait as US territory, repeating a recent provocative claim.
Iran's Position And Regional Response
Iran has made clear it will keep the strait closed to commercial shipping until Washington meets a set of demands. Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on state TV that the Strait of Hormuz "will not be opened until the American commitments stipulated in the memorandum of understanding... are implemented." Tehran's conditions include an end to the blockade, lifting oil sanctions and releasing frozen Iranian assets abroad.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi posted on X that "the Strait of Hormuz has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian," adding that reopening the passage would be subject to Iran's command.
Incident Off Oman
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported an incident early Tuesday off the coast of Oman: an unidentified projectile struck a vessel attempting to transit the strait, damaging its engine room and "resulted in a crew casualty," citing the ship operator's security office. The UKMTO did not release details about the ship or cargo, and it was not clear whether the crew member was killed or wounded. The Omani Coast Guard was reported to be assisting the crew and investigating the incident. Officials said no environmental damage had been reported so far, though concerns about oil spills have risen after previous attacks on transiting vessels.
Wider Context
Tehran's forces effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly one-fifth of the world's traded oil passed before the conflict—after attacks on Iran on 28 February that involved Israel and the US. Washington has also imposed a blockade on Iranian shipping through the strait. With direct US–Iran negotiations stalled, Iran and Oman have held separate talks on managing ship transits, and Muscat has presented itself as a neutral mediator.
Escalating Rhetoric: Reports said Trump told Fox News he would bomb "the s*** out of" Oman if it "gets in the way" of US objectives; he also said he would soon declare the Strait "a territory of the United States." Those comments drew sharp responses from Tehran and raised concerns among regional states and maritime operators.
This standoff highlights growing risks to commercial shipping, regional stability and global energy markets if diplomatic channels do not reopen and safety measures for transiting vessels are not agreed.
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