13.07.2026 16:41
After US President Trump's remarks 'We are seizing the Strait of Hormuz,' Iran responded: 'We will not allow the US to interfere in the management of Hormuz. Regional countries that cooperate with the US will be considered to have declared war on Iran, and conflicts will spread to all countries in the region.'
US President Donald Trump's statements that they will take control of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz have escalated tensions between Washington and Tehran to a dangerous level. After Trump announced they would charge a fee for security services provided in the region, Iran's side issued a very harsh "war" warning.
TEHRAN THREATENS ALLIES AND THE US
Following the US leader's remarks, the Iranian Armed Forces promptly issued a counter-statement. In the statement, which firmly rejected any potential intervention by the Washington administration regarding the waterway, threats were made to regional states cooperating with the US with the following words:
"We will not allow the US to become involved in the management of the Strait of Hormuz. Regional countries that cooperate with the US will be considered as having declared war on Iran."
The statement emphasized that a potential crisis would not remain between just the two countries, highlighting the risk of regional devastation, and said, "The conflict will spread to all countries in the region. The responsibility lies with the US and its allies."
TRUMP'S REMARKS SPARK THE CRISIS
The development that sparked the crisis was the striking statements made by US President Donald Trump during a phone interview on Fox News' "Fox & Friends" program. Arguing that Iran had violated a past agreement, Trump outlined his goals regarding control of the strait, saying, "We are taking the Strait of Hormuz. We will have control. We will charge a fee for providing security."
Signaling an increase in Washington's presence in the region, Trump further stated, "We are taking the Strait of Hormuz. We will be the guardian of the strait," while emphasizing that this massive military and operational mission would not be free, adding, "We will charge a fee for providing security in the Strait of Hormuz."
TRAFFIC IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ COMES TO A HALT
These increasingly harsh exchanges between the two countries and concerns about potential attacks on commercial vessels in the region's waters have dealt a severe blow to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy transit routes.
According to the latest reports, the number of natural gas and oil tankers using the strait has seen a dramatic decline in the last 24 hours. Current statistics reflected by ship tracking systems show that the number of transiting tankers has dropped to its lowest level since May 25.