President Donald Trump declared on Friday that the U.S. controls the Strait of Hormuz, stating, "We wiped out their armed forces, essentially." Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, asserted that his country "cannot trust the Americans at all" and emphasized efforts to maintain a "shaky" ceasefire to "give diplomacy a chance." Iran also claimed victory in the conflict, framing itself as a power capable of confronting global superpowers.
India's Role in Strait Security
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a visit to the UAE, called for an "open and safe" Strait of Hormuz, citing its critical role in global energy supply. Modi met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and agreed to expand oil storage cooperation, including strategic reserves in India and Fujairah. Disruptions in the strait have impacted oil and gas markets, prompting India to raise fuel prices.
Nuclear Talks and Stalemate
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in a call with Trump, reiterated that Iran "must not be allowed to have nuclear weapons" and urged Tehran to return to negotiations. However, Trump described Iran's latest proposal as "garbage and totally unacceptable," accusing its leadership of being "dishonorable" and inconsistent in negotiations. Analyst Brett McGurk characterized the diplomatic stalemate as both sides believing time is on their side, with Iran refusing to relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz despite a U.S. naval blockade on its oil exports.
Background on the Conflict
The war, which Trump initially expected to conclude swiftly, has dragged on for weeks. A two-week ceasefire was declared in early April, contingent on Iran ending its control over the strait. Trump has repeatedly claimed progress toward a long-term peace agreement but has faced repeated setbacks as Iran digs in on its demands.