The United States will not be pressured by Iran over access to the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump said, following Tehran's announcement that the strategic waterway was closed, just one day after stating it was open. Trump, speaking at a White House event, dismissed Iran's shifting declarations as a form of blackmail, asserting that the U.S. would not be coerced. "We're talking to them. They wanted to close up the strait again — you know, as they've been doing for years — and they can't blackmail us," Trump said. He added that the U.S. was taking a tough stance and would release "some information" about Iran later in the day. Iran's military declared the strait closed on Saturday, reversing its previous day's statement confirming it was open. The waterway is critical to global energy supplies, with about one-fifth of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passing through it under normal conditions. No military incidents or disruptions to shipping were reported at the time of the announcement. The U.S. has maintained a strong naval presence in the Persian Gulf in recent months, amid rising tensions with Iran over its nuclear program and regional activities. Officials have not clarified what form the upcoming announcement on Iran might take, or whether it involves diplomatic, economic or military measures. Iran has not issued further comment beyond its military's declaration on the strait's status.
Trump's warning that Iran cannot "blackmail" the U.S. over the Strait of Hormuz follows Tehran's abrupt reversal on the waterway's status within 24 hours, exposing the volatility of its messaging. The U.S. claims a tough stance while awaiting a promised announcement, yet no concrete action or evidence of de-escalation has emerged. If Iran's closures are performative, they risk destabilizing global energy flows; if genuine, they challenge international maritime norms. The situation hinges on declarations, not deeds — and so far, both sides are speaking louder than they are acting.
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