Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf accused former US President Donald Trump of making “seven false claims in one hour” and warned that continued US “blockade” could lead to restricted access through the Strait of Hormuz, contradicting Trump’s assertion that the key shipping route remains “open for business.”
The remarks came as Qalibaf posted on social media platform X during Trump’s public appearance in Arizona, signaling a sharp escalation in rhetoric between Tehran and Washington over control and accessibility of the strategic waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil transit corridor, has become the focal point of competing narratives, with Iran indicating that passage may be regulated under a “designated route” requiring Iranian authorization if tensions persist.
Qalibaf said Trump had made “seven claims in one hour,” all of which he described as “false,” though he did not detail the specific statements. He added that such “lies” would not yield results “in war or negotiations,” and emphasized that decisions regarding the strait would be based on “actions on the ground” rather than public statements or social media messaging.
The Iranian speaker further underscored that media warfare and attempts to shape public opinion were central to the ongoing confrontation, asserting that Tehran would not be influenced by such tactics.
The comments reflect a shift from earlier statements by Iranian officials. Qalibaf had previously indicated that the Strait of Hormuz was “open for business” despite what he termed a continuing US blockade. Similarly, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had announced that the strait would remain open for commercial vessels during a ceasefire period.
However, internal messaging appeared inconsistent. Iran’s state-affiliated Fars News Agency expressed skepticism over Araghchi’s statement, describing it as unexpected and noting confusion within Iranian society regarding the status of the waterway.
On the US side, Trump reiterated his position via posts on Truth Social and media interviews. In a conversation with Bloomberg, he claimed that Iran had agreed to an “unlimited” suspension of its nuclear program, a claim that has not been confirmed by Iranian authorities.
Iran has rejected these assertions. Trump also stated in a separate post that Tehran had agreed to hand over its “nuclear dust,” referring to enriched uranium, which Iranian officials denied. He further claimed that Israel would cease bombing Lebanon, concluding his remarks with “Enough is enough,” though no independent confirmation of such developments has emerged.
Amid the escalating exchange, Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran’s National Security Committee, told Al Jazeera that the Iranian Parliament is preparing draft legislation aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz, including provisions to impose transit fees on vessels.
Despite the sharp rhetoric, financial markets reacted positively. Stock markets rose and crude oil prices declined, reflecting investor optimism tied to perceived de-escalation signals. However, on-the-ground conditions in the Strait of Hormuz remained uncertain, with reports indicating thin maritime traffic amid ambiguity over operational status and future restrictions.
The developments highlight a widening gap between political messaging and operational realities, as both sides increasingly rely on public platforms to assert control over narratives surrounding one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
WHAT US SAYS “Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again. It will no longer be used as a weapon against the World.” |
WHAT IRAN SAYS “The US President made seven claims in one hour, all of which were false. With such lies, they did not win the war, and they will certainly not achieve anything through negotiations either.” |
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