Live Updates: Tehran says Strait of Hormuz “under Iran’s control” after Trump threatens U.S. might “keep it”

Iran Asserts Full Authority Over Strategic Waterway Amid U.S. Claims

Wertynews.com – Iran’s armed forces dismissed President Trump’s assertions regarding the Strait of Hormuz as baseless on Thursday, maintaining that the critical maritime passage remains entirely within Tehran’s jurisdiction.

Ebrahim Zolfaghari, who serves as the spokesperson for Khatam-al Anbiya, Iran’s central military command, addressed the situation in a video broadcast on state television. He emphasized that American statements about normal shipping traffic through the region were entirely fabricated.

“The false claims of the United States that ships are passing through the Strait of Hormuz normally … are nothing more than lies and fabrications,” Zolfaghari stated.

He continued by affirming that the Islamic Republic maintains complete oversight of the waterway, noting that no commercial vessels or tankers can navigate safely without Iranian military permission and supervision.

“The Strait of Hormuz is, as in the past, under the complete management and control of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and no commercial ship or tanker without the permission and supervision of the powerful Iranian armed forces has had and will have the possibility of safe passage through this strait,” he declared.

Trump’s Bold Declaration

Just one day prior, the American president proclaimed that Washington holds “total control over the Strait of Hormuz,” adding emphatically that the United States would maintain this authority.

“I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed this sentiment on Thursday, suggesting that Washington had made a significant error in judgment regarding the waterway.

“The U.S. has long miscalculated due to intelligence failures. Case in point: The war on Iran,” Araghchi posted on X. “Now, an even bigger miscalculation on the Strait of Hormuz.”

Diplomatic Efforts and Regional Tensions

Tehran and Muscat have been engaged in discussions to create an alternative maritime corridor through the strait, though these negotiations remain incomplete. Iranian officials maintain that any new route would only become viable if Washington satisfies their requirements.

Meanwhile, escalating violence in Yemen has heightened concerns about the potential resurgence of the country’s civil war and the emergence of an additional conflict zone in the Middle East. Overnight confrontations between Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed government forces resulted in at least one military casualty and another soldier being critically injured in Taiz province, according to Yemeni military sources speaking to The Associated Press.

The Houthis have conducted numerous attacks on government-controlled territories using drones and missiles, targeting both military installations and storage facilities. Since last week, dozens of government troops have fallen in these assaults. Additionally, the rebels struck a commercial vessel in the Bab el-Mandeb strait on Tuesday, claiming six lives.

Furthermore, Houthi forces have launched attacks against Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure and Red Sea shipping routes, as Riyadh provides support to the Yemeni government.

New Defense Alliance Takes Shape

Turkey’s defense ministry revealed on Thursday that joint military drills are scheduled with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan under their recently established Mecca Joint Defense Agreement. Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, the Turkish Defense Ministry’s spokesperson, explained that the pact, signed on August 7, seeks to enhance and formalize security cooperation among the three nations.

“The exercises aim to identify needs and deficiencies before possible crises, to transfer the experiences gained to doctrine, training and planning processes, and to continuously improve joint operation capability,” Aktürk noted.

He clarified that the Mecca agreement complements rather than competes with NATO, serving as an additional mechanism for regional stability without designating any specific nation as an opponent.

“The Mecca agreement is not an alternative or competitor structure to NATO, but is considered as a complementary mechanism to the international security architecture by contributing to regional security and stability,” he said.

Concerns Over USS Abraham Lincoln

Senate Democrats requested clarification on Wednesday regarding living conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Reports indicated that the aircraft carrier experienced food shortages, plumbing failures, and mental health challenges during its unprecedented deployment.

Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal, along with other Democratic lawmakers, sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao calling for detailed responses about the situation.

Updated on: August 13, 2026 / 9:47 AM EDT / CBS News