Strait of Hormuz Crisis Between the USA and Iran Deepens

While diplomatic efforts continue to reach an agreement between the USA and Iran, the parties' assertive statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz continue in the shadow of the deadlocked talks. US President Trump's statements that he would "declare the Strait of Hormuz as US territory" were met with reaction in Iran and dragged the already difficult negotiations into further uncertainty.

'Admit defeat'

The parties argue that they have control over the strait, despite the "memorandum of understanding" agreed upon in June.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazim Garibabadi, responded to Trump's words with the following statement: "The Strait of Hormuz can be seized neither by tweeting, nor by aircraft carriers, nor by issuing orders, nor by election speeches." The Iranian official added, "This strait is closed and opened only by Iran's order. Unless you accept the reality of defeat and put an end to your imaginary delusions, Iran will continue to implement the blockade."

'Not a negotiation'

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that they have not yet taken a decision on resuming negotiations with the USA. "Qatar and Pakistan only exchange messages and are in contact as intermediaries, but this does not mean negotiations," Arakchi said.

Stating that the negotiations between Iran and Oman to determine a "safe route" in the Strait of Hormuz are continuing, Arakçi said, "Even after the route is determined, the opening of the strait depends on the fulfillment of other conditions that the USA must comply with." Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ismail Bekayi also stated that progress has been made in the talks on the Strait of Hormuz, which have been going on between Tehran and Muscat for about 3 weeks, and that the talks continue in a "positive and constructive" atmosphere.

3 pilots are being held captive in Qatar!

Iranian General Staff announced that 3 of the 4 Iranian pilots in the 2 warplanes that crashed during the war with the USA and Israel were captured by Qatar. It was reported that after 2 Su-24 type warplanes were shot down by "air defense systems", 3 Iranian pilots were captured alive by Qatari forces and were held captive by Qatar for 6 months. Iran asked the International Committee of the Red Cross to meet with the pilots. It is estimated that the planes were shot down during Iran's attacks on bases in Qatar. Qatar, on the other hand, rejected the allegations that Iranian pilots were detained.

In the news published in March, it was stated that Iranian Su-24s were shot down by Qatar's F-15QA aircraft. The F-15QA is one of the most advanced models of the F-15 Eagle and its impressive combat record has been strengthened.

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