Hormuz cannot be seized by tweet or election speech: Iran

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi on Friday rejected US President Donald Trump's remarks that he would declare the Strait of Hormuz "a territory of the United States" after defeating Iran, saying the strategic waterway "cannot be seized by tweet" or military force, reported ANI.

In an X post, Gharibabadi said Iran "neither fears threats nor cowers before displays of power", asserting that the Strait of Hormuz "has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian".

"Trump has said that after Iran's defeat, he will soon declare the Strait of Hormuz as US territory! The Strait of Hormuz cannot be seized by tweet, nor by aircraft carrier, nor by issuing an order, nor by an election speech. Iran neither fears threats nor cowers before displays of power," Gharibabadi said.

"Once and for all, accept the reality: up to this point, you have suffered strategic and heavy defeats; the Strait of Hormuz has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian; this strait will only be closed and opened under Iran's command, and as long as you do not accept the reality of defeat and cease your fanciful delusions, Iran will continue to enforce the blockade," he added.

His remarks came after Trump, speaking at a rally in Long Island, said he planned to declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory after the conclusion of the war with Iran.

"After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated -- pretty soon I'll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States," Trump said.

Trump had earlier claimed that the United States exercised "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz and that he "will keep it" amid stalled negotiations with Iran regarding the reopening of the strategic conduit. Trump asserted, "The USA has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT! Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, 'A WALL OF STEEL,' and there is nothing Iran can do about it."

Trump further maintained that Tehran's military infrastructure had been severely degraded, concluding his message with, "Praise be to Allah!"

"All they have is FAKE NEWS and 300 per cent INFLATION, and it's getting worse! Iran is all talk and no action, and is the Bully of the Middle East No Longer. Praise be to Allah!" he added in the social media post.

However, soon after Trump's remarks, Iran rejected his claims, stating that the strategic waterway remains blocked and will not be reopened until Tehran's conditions are accepted.

The Persian Gulf Strait Authority said Trump's claims and repeated statements by US officials that the Strait of Hormuz was no longer blocked did not change the situation.

"Claims and repeated posts by US officials that the Strait of Hormuz is no longer blocked do not change the reality: the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked and will not be reopened until Iran's conditions are accepted," the PGSA said.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most sensitive geopolitical chokepoints, where past military standoffs have routinely triggered spikes in international crude prices and fears of broader conflict. The current escalation has already prompted expanded naval patrols, adjustments to shipping routes by commercial carriers, and renewed international calls for diplomatic restraint.

Commercial shipping through the vital corridor currently continues under tight security oversight, though the environment remains highly volatile.

USS Abraham Lincoln to be replaced amid supply

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, deployed in the Middle East, will be replaced, reported Xinhua.

"That ship is moving right now, or very shortly, and it's being replaced with another very similar ship," Trump told reporters before departing for New York for a rally.

The carrier has been deployed in the Middle East for nearly nine months.

The replacement announcement came amid growing concerns over conditions aboard the aircraft carrier, including reported shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing issues, deck safety concerns, mail disruptions and deteriorating mental health among crew members.

Oman steps up response to oil spill from grounded vessel

Oman has stepped up cleanup and monitoring to contain the oil spill from the grounded vessel "Caroline Bezengi" off the country's southern Al Hallaniyat Islands, the Oman News Agency (ONA) reported Friday, said Xinhua.

Authorities have deployed specialized gear and designated disposal sites in the port town of Duqm and on Masirah Island to handle shoreline waste, ONA reported.

Daily tests are also being conducted in Ras Madrakah, a coastal area in central Oman, and Duqm, with all samples meeting safety and quality standards, it said.

According to media reports, the Caroline Bezengi has been grounded since June after its crew reported an explosion on board.

On Wednesday, Oman's Environment Authority said oil pollution had reached some beaches in Ras Madrakah, with up to 40 km of coastline potentially affected.

2 tankers struck by drones in Hormuz: UKMTO

Two tankers were struck by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, sustaining minor damage with all crew reported safe, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Friday, reported Xinhua.

According to two UKMTO advisories, military authorities reported that the tankers were hit by UAVs while conducting outbound transit of the strait.

The advisories said both vessels sustained only minor damage. All crew members were reported safe, and no environmental impact has been reported.

The Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world's most important energy shipping chokepoints. The incidents came amid heightened regional security tensions.

On the same day, the United Arab Emirates blamed Iran for attacks on two vessels linked to its state-owned oil company, which were transiting the strait. It was not immediately clear whether the UAE statement referred to the same incidents reported by the UKMTO.