US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as the focus point of the deal between the US and Iran, with Tehran now openly claiming that it controls the strategic waterway despite Washington making the opposite assertion.
The latest comments from Iran’s newly appointed Basij chief come as efforts to revive a June US-Iran peace agreement remain stalled and Iranian officials continue to present Hormuz as a major source of leverage against American pressure.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Iran’s New Basij Chief Says Strait of Hormuz is Under Tehran’s Control
Iran has directly challenged Washington’s claims over the Strait of Hormuz, with newly appointed Basij chief Hossein Taeb saying Tehran controls and manages the vital waterway. “Today, you can see that the Strait of Hormuz is under the management and control of the Islamic Republic,” Taeb said during a visit to Qom, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency.
Taeb accused the United States of launching another war in the region to weaken Iran’s influence but said Washington had failed to achieve its objectives. He also rejected American assessments that Iran lacks effective naval and air capabilities.
His statement came just a day after US President Donald Trump claimed that Washington had “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz, setting up a direct clash between the two sides over who holds effective control of the key shipping route.
US-Israel-Iran War Live News: Tehran and Washington Remain Deadlocked Over War Settlement
Diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States have failed to produce a breakthrough, with Tehran saying there has been no progress toward reviving the interim agreement reached in June.
The agreement sought an immediate end to military operations and a framework for further negotiations. However, the arrangement quickly broke down, with Trump declaring it over on July 7 and Iran later suspending its participation.
The two sides now remain divided over several key issues, including the Strait of Hormuz, US sanctions and frozen Iranian assets. Washington has accused Tehran of failing to reopen the waterway, while Iran has argued that the United States violated its commitments first.
The deadlock has also kept pressure on regional shipping and energy markets. Oil prices remain sensitive to every development around Hormuz because the waterway plays a crucial role in global energy trade.
US-Israel-Iran War Live News: Ex-Iranian Diplomat Calls Hormuz a Strategic ‘Trap’ for US
Former Iranian diplomat Abbas Khameyar has argued that the United States has become trapped by the Strait of Hormuz during its confrontation with Tehran.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Khameyar said Iran had resisted American economic and military pressure and refused to accept Washington’s demands. He described the waterway as an important strategic tool that gives Tehran leverage during the conflict.
Khameyar also accused the US of failing to honour earlier commitments. He argued that any future agreement would require serious negotiations and good-faith guarantees from Washington.
The waterway has remained at the centre of the conflict since the June agreement because reopening it became one of the main conditions of the proposed settlement. Earlier negotiations between Washington and Tehran also focused heavily on restoring maritime traffic through the strait.
US-Israel-Iran War Live News: Iranian Lawmaker Says Strait of Hormuz Is ‘More Valuable Than a Nuclear Bomb’
Iranian lawmaker Alireza Salimi has described the Strait of Hormuz as an exceptionally powerful strategic asset for Tehran. “The Strait of Hormuz is a blessing that God has placed in Iran’s hands,” Salimi said.
He argued that the waterway could help Iran counter the impact of sanctions and pursue compensation claims against the United States. “With the Strait of Hormuz, we can resolve the issue of sanctions and compensation and retaliate,” he added.
Salimi’s comments underline the importance Tehran places on the waterway as a political and economic pressure point. The strait connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and remains critical to global oil and gas shipments.
The dispute over access has already affected shipping patterns and contributed to uncertainty in energy markets. Recent attacks and restrictions around the waterway have further complicated efforts to restore normal commercial traffic.
US-Israel-Iran War Live News: Hormuz Becomes Key Battleground as US-Iran Tensions Rise
The latest statements from Iranian officials show that the Strait of Hormuz has moved beyond a shipping issue and become a central part of the wider US-Iran confrontation.
Washington insists on free and secure commercial transit, while Tehran continues to claim that it can restrict or manage access. The US has also taken steps against vessels linked to Iran, while Iranian forces have previously warned ships against passing through routes without coordination with Tehran.
The competing claims have created uncertainty for shipping companies, energy traders and Gulf states. Any further escalation around the waterway could increase pressure on oil prices and global supply chains.
Oil markets have already reacted to the prolonged uncertainty. Reuters reported on Thursday that Brent crude stood around $88.87 a barrel, with geopolitical risks linked to the US-Iran conflict continuing to influence prices.
US-Israel-Iran War Live News: What’s Next as Iran-US Talks Remain Stalled?
The immediate focus will remain on whether Washington and Tehran can revive the stalled June framework and reach an arrangement over the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran continues to demand that the US return to the earlier agreement and meet its commitments, while Washington wants unrestricted and secure shipping through the strategic waterway. Neither side has indicated that it is ready to abandon its core position.
For now, the competing claims over Hormuz have become a symbol of the wider US-Iran standoff. Tehran is using the waterway as a source of strategic leverage, while Washington continues to challenge Iran’s ability to control international shipping.
