The war of words between America and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important routes for global energy supply, has once again intensified. Iran's Consul General in Mumbai, Saeed Reza Mosayeb Motlagh has rejected US President Donald Trump's claim that Washington has complete control over this strategic waterway. The Iranian diplomat termed Trump's statement as “false” and clarified that this strategically important waterway is completely under the control of Iran.
The dispute began when US President Donald Trump repeatedly claimed that the US controls the strait through blockade and it should be declared American territory. Trump also said that the waterway is open and there is huge economic and military pressure on Iran. However, the Iranian side has rubbished all these claims and said that from Trump's statements it seems that he has no idea of the ground reality.
The Iranian Consul General stressed that in any future agreement or arrangement related to this waterway, the security of Iran as well as the neighboring countries of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman should be of paramount importance. He also made it clear that Tehran can consider reopening the strait for international shipping only after its conditions under the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) are met and the US fulfills its commitments.
Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has also taken a tough stance, saying that the route will remain closed until the US fulfills its commitments like lifting the blockade, releasing frozen assets and ending the oil embargo. These contradictory statements from Washington and Tehran have created great uncertainty for the global energy market and international shipping, as a large part of the world's oil and gas is traded through this route.