Iranian Lawmaker Warns Trump Over Strait of Hormuz Claims
A senior Iranian lawmaker has warned US President Donald Trump to focus on his own security rather than making claims about the Strait of Hormuz. Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security Commission, made the comments in response to Trump’s statement that the US would assert control over the strategic waterway.
Trump had stated during a campaign rally on Long Island on Friday that he intended to declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory after defeating Iran. “After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated, pretty soon, I will be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States,” he said.
Azizi responded to Trump’s comments on social media, saying “The US President ought to worry about his own security rather than his endless bluffing regarding the Strait of Hormuz; before he ends up hiding in a food truck.” Azizi’s comments appeared to reference a recent security precaution in which Trump was moved between aircraft in a catering vehicle due to assassination concerns.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also responded to Trump’s comments, stating that Tehran maintains sole authority over maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Gharibabadi said that the naval blockade would remain in place until Washington acknowledges its “strategic defeat”.
Gharibabadi directly addressed Trump’s claims, saying “Once and for all, accept the reality: up to this point, you have suffered strategic and heavy defeats; the Strait of Hormuz has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian.” He added that the strait would only be closed and opened under Iran’s command, and that Iran would continue to enforce the blockade until the US accepts the reality of its defeat.
Trump had also commented on the state of Iran’s political structure, saying that the country has “no leadership” and that “nobody wants to be president”. However, Iranian officials have rejected Trump’s claims, with Gharibabadi asserting that the Strait of Hormuz is and will remain under Iranian control.
Article and image source: israelnationalnews.com
