Ghalibaf Refutes All Seven Claims Made by Trump

Iranian Parliament Speaker Threatens Closure of Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf issued a stark warning on Thursday regarding the strategic Strait of Hormuz, declaring that the vital maritime passage would not remain open if what he described as a “blockade” against Iran continues.

In pointed remarks shared on his Twitter account, Ghalibaf directly challenged recent statements made by the U.S. President, claiming that the American leader had made “seven false claims in one hour” during a recent address. “They did not win the war with these lies and will certainly not achieve anything in negotiations either,” Ghalibaf stated.

The parliamentary speaker’s comments represent a significant escalation in rhetoric at a time when regional tensions are already at a fever pitch. The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, serves as a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, with approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil passing through its narrow waters daily.

Ghalibaf emphasized that future maritime traffic through the strait would only proceed along a “designated route” and with “Iranian authorization,” directly challenging the principle of freedom of navigation that the United States and its allies have long sought to uphold in the region’s international waters.

“The field determines whether the Strait is open or closed and its regulations, not social media,” Ghalibaf added, suggesting that Iran is prepared to take concrete actions rather than limiting itself to rhetorical threats.

Energy analysts have long considered the Strait of Hormuz to be one of the world’s most vulnerable chokepoints. Any disruption to shipping in this narrow waterway could send global oil prices soaring and potentially trigger a broader regional conflict. Major Asian economies like Japan, South Korea, and China are particularly dependent on energy supplies that transit the strait.

The Iranian threat comes amid a broader context of deteriorating relations between Tehran and Washington. Economic sanctions reimposed after the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal have severely impacted Iran’s economy, with Iranian officials frequently characterizing the sanctions regime as an economic blockade.

International maritime security experts note that Iran has previously threatened the strait during times of heightened tensions. In 2019, Iran seized several foreign tankers in the region following the U.S. decision to end sanctions waivers for countries importing Iranian oil.

The commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps’ navy, Alireza Tangsiri, has previously stated that Iran has “full control” of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, though such claims are contested by the U.S. Fifth Fleet, which maintains a significant presence in the region.

Ghalibaf concluded his statement by warning that “media warfare and the engineering of public opinion are a significant part of the war, and the Iranian nation will not be influenced by such tricks,” suggesting that Tehran views current tensions as part of a broader information conflict.

Oil market analysts will be closely monitoring the situation, as even the perception of increased risk to maritime traffic through the strait can drive price volatility. Major shipping insurers typically increase premiums for vessels transiting high-risk areas, costs that are ultimately passed on to consumers.

The U.S. State Department has not yet issued a formal response to Ghalibaf’s comments, though American officials have consistently maintained that they will take all necessary measures to ensure freedom of navigation through the strategically important waterway.