Iran Deputy FM Rejects Trump’s Hormuz Territory Pledge

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected President Donald Trump’s pledge to declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory, writing that the waterway could not be seized by tweet, aircraft carrier, order or campaign speech. Trump made the pledge at a police event in Garden City, New York, while describing the U.S. naval blockade as an unstoppable ‘wall of steel.’ Gharibabadi said Iran did not fear threats or displays of power. Trump also said Washington could not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon and described Iran as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.