In his statement to Fox News, the US President pointed out that they would cause economic damage to Iran.
Trump said, "We will deal a heavy economic blow to Iran. I don't care if it happens before the midterm elections." he said.
On the other hand, speaking about the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz at an event he attended at the Nassau Police Academy in New York, the US President said, "After completely defeating Iran, I will declare the Strait of Hormuz as US territory very soon." he said.
Trump pointed out that his policies towards Iran are also important for the world and said, "What we do is a great service not only for ourselves, but for the world." he said.
Referring to the impact of the war with Iran on the US economy, the US President said, "I will never apologize when you have to pay a little more for your gas. I did the right thing. A very bad country cannot have nuclear weapons." he said.
STATEMENTS FROM IRAN
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Erakchi said that they have not yet made a decision on resuming negotiations with the USA.
According to Iran's Tasnim News Agency, Foreign Minister Erakchi evaluated the war with the USA, possible negotiations and the process in the Strait of Hormuz in an interview.
When asked whether the "ceasefire" period with the USA would be extended, the Iranian Foreign Minister stated that what was stated in the memorandum signed between Iran and the USA on June 17 was not a "ceasefire" but the "end of the war" and said, "The USA violated the memorandum of understanding and we witnessed the resumption of hostilities, but now there is no ceasefire that needs to be extended. On the contrary, the end of the war had come and this war has now gained a new situation." he said.
Regarding the possibility of resuming negotiations with the USA, Erakçi said, "Qatar and Pakistan are only exchanging messages and in contact as intermediaries, but this does not mean negotiations. We have not yet taken a decision on resuming negotiations with the USA." he said.
Stating that negotiations between Iran and Oman are continuing to determine a "safe route" in the Strait of Hormuz, Erakçi 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." he said.
"THE STRAIT OF HORmuz BELONGS TO IRAN"
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Garibabadi responded to US President Donald Trump's claim that he would "declare the Strait of Hormuz as American territory" by saying, "The Strait of Hormuz can be captured neither by tweeting, nor by an aircraft carrier, nor by issuing an order, nor by an election speech." He responded with the statement.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Garibabadi responded to US President Trump's Strait of Hormuz claim in his message shared on his social media account.
Garibabadi said, "The Strait of Hormuz cannot be seized neither by tweeting, nor by an aircraft carrier, nor by issuing orders, nor by election speeches... Iran is neither afraid of threats nor can it be intimidated by a show of force." he said.
Addressing US President Trump and saying that the US should accept that it has suffered strategic and heavy defeats against Iran, Garibabadi included the following statements in his message:
"The Strait of Hormuz was, is and will be Iran's. This strait will be closed and opened only on Iran's orders, and unless you accept real defeat and give up dreams, Iran will continue to blockade (in the Strait of Hormuz)."
"WE CAN EXTEND THE BLOCKADE INDEFINITELY"
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that the US could continue its naval blockade of Iran "indefinitely".
According to the statement made by the US Department of Defense, Hegseth spoke to journalists about the naval blockade against Iran in Panama, where he went for the closing ceremony of a multinational exercise.
Hegseth stated that the US army can maintain its naval presence in the region "indefinitely" in order to maintain the blockade against Iran, and added: "The US Navy can continue the blockade indefinitely. Because we will assign and withdraw the ships alternately, as we have done so far and will continue to do." he said.
Emphasizing that the blockade against Iran has no specific time limit, Hegseth reiterated that the blockade will continue "as long as necessary."
