Strait of Hormuz Blockade: Iran Tells US to Accept Defeat as Fuel Prices Rise
The standoff at the Strait of Hormuz remains frozen, with Iran insisting the US must accept defeat before any talks can resume. The waterway, which carried one-fifth of the world's oil before the war began on 28 February, is still under Iranian control, and only two vessels made it through yesterday.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi delivered a blunt message on X: the strait will open and close only under Iran's command. He said that until Washington accepts the reality of defeat, the blockade stays in place. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed Iran has not decided to resume talks with the US, saying Washington must first meet conditions on the strait.
Trump calls Iran 'very evil' as US drivers feel the pinch
President Donald Trump told a rally in Garden City, New York, that Americans should brace for higher fuel costs. He framed the sacrifice as necessary to stop a nuclear-armed Iran, calling Tehran a very evil country. The average US gasoline price hit $4.08 a gallon on Friday, up 29% from a year earlier, a trend that is stoking inflation and troubling voters.
Mr Trump campaigned on lowering energy costs, and Democrats are already using the war's fallout ahead of November's congressional elections. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent promised more financial measures against Iran next week, adding to the pressure on Tehran's economy.
Iran feels the economic strain too
President Masoud Pezeshkian blamed high inflation at home on the US blockade of Iranian ports and sanctions on oil exports. Both sides are feeling the pain, but neither is blinking. Tehran frames its control of the strait as a blockade, while Washington uses the same term for its threats against Iranian vessels leaving port.
Mr Trump defended the military effort, saying a 260-day deployment by a US aircraft carrier was not nearly long enough. He described the operation as a great service to the world.
Shipping through the strait has collapsed
Ship-tracking firm Kpler reports only two vessels crossed the strait yesterday, with no crude oil shipments visible. Before the war, more than 130 ships passed daily. Some may slip through with transponders off, but the numbers tell a clear story.
The risks are real. The UAE's Abu Dhabi National Oil Company said two of its vessels were attacked on Thursday, and another came under fire on Friday. A bulk carrier was struck in the hull yesterday, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre, though the crew is safe.
Is a ceasefire still possible?
A tentative June deal to end the war has collapsed. Mr Araqchi said there was no ceasefire to extend, only an end of the war that has now given way to a new situation. Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen fired six ballistic missiles at the Red Sea port of Mocha, killing four civilians, and reportedly targeted an Aramco facility in Saudi Arabia.
The region is on edge, and the path back to peace looks narrow. For now, the strait remains closed under Iranian command, and the world is watching to see who blinks first.
Frequently asked questions about the Strait of Hormuz conflict
Why is the Strait of Hormuz so important?
The strait is a vital shipping lane that carried about one-fifth of the world's oil before the war. Its closure disrupts global energy supplies and drives up fuel prices worldwide.
What does Iran want from the US?
Iran wants Washington to accept defeat and stop what it calls fantasies about controlling the strait. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says US conditions must be met before shipping can resume.
How is the conflict affecting ordinary people?
US drivers are paying about 29% more for gasoline than a year ago. Iranians face high inflation blamed on US sanctions and port blockades. Both populations are feeling the economic strain of the war.