Iran rejects Trump's claim to Strait of Hormuz after new ship-strike report

Iran's government on Saturday flatly rejected President Donald Trump's assertion that the United States would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory, with a senior Iranian official insisting the waterway "will remain Iranian." The exchange came as fresh reports emerged of another commercial ship being struck near the strait, raising fears of an escalating confrontation in one of the world's busiest oil shipping lanes.

Iran's deputy foreign minister said Tehran would not recognize any unilateral claim over the passage, which carries roughly a fifth of global oil supply. Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of expanded U.S. control over the strait since the outbreak of hostilities with Iran, though his administration has offered few details on how such a declaration would be enforced.

Energy markets are watching the standoff closely, with traders wary that further attacks on shipping could disrupt supply and drive prices higher. Washington has not confirmed the latest reported strike, and the Pentagon has declined to comment on any change in U.S. naval posture in the Gulf.