US-Iran tensions: Trump calls Hormuz ‘American territory’, warns Iran on nuclear weapons

Individual NATO member states are exploring ways to help protect freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, although the effort would not amount to a formal NATO mission, Reuters reported.

US Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s top military commander, brought together defence chiefs from interested allied countries for a videoconference on Wednesday to discuss potential contributions.

A spokesperson for Grynkewich said NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe hosted the meeting to help countries coordinate possible support for navigation through the strategic waterway.

The spokesperson stressed that “this is not a NATO mission”, saying the alliance could use its coordination capabilities to help participating countries assess what resources they could provide.

France and the UK are separately leading efforts to build a coalition of around a dozen countries to help ensure safe passage through the Strait once tensions ease or the conflict ends, according to Reuters.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a key flashpoint amid the escalating US-Iran tensions, with disruption to shipping through the waterway continuing to affect global energy markets.

Trump said Washington would “see what happens” following its latest sanctions against Iran, while claiming the country has been weakened economically and militarily.

Trump said Iran “would love” to reach a deal with the US but is not yet ready to accept the terms Washington is seeking.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the US pressure campaign, saying on social media that Trump’s plans for economic warfare are “bound to fail”.

Iran has condemned new US sanctions against Tehran, calling them a “declaration of war” against all governments and accusing Washington of trying to extend its authority beyond US borders.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, in remarks carried by Fars news agency, said the sanctions amounted to an attempt to impose “extraterritorial sovereignty” over independent UN member states.

Key points

• Iran rejects secondary sanctions: Baghaei said the US has no right to pressure foreign banks, companies or airports to stop legitimate trade with third countries.

• Calls sanctions unlawful: He said secondary sanctions have no basis in international law and violate the principle of sovereign equality under the UN Charter.

• Warns over naval blockade: Baghaei said combining economic sanctions with a naval blockade threatens the sovereignty of other states.

• Warns of ‘colonialism’: He said accepting such pressure could lead to the erosion of national sovereignty and a return to “full-scale colonialism”.

• Iran escalates rhetoric: Tehran’s comments come amid rising tensions with Washington over US economic measures and the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has hit back at US President Donald Trump’s threat of an “Economic D-Day”, saying Washington’s planned economic measures risk paving the way for a return to “full-scale classic colonialism”, CNN reported.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Friday that the US announcement of new economic sanctions amounted to an attempt to impose “extraterritorial sovereignty” over independent UN member states.

Baghaei said economic pressure designed to force a sovereign state to change its lawful policies constituted an “internationally wrongful act”.

He argued that countries complying with the US measures would effectively allow their banks, businesses and airports to operate under foreign control.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry also warned that those who order or implement the measures could face prosecution and punishment, according to Iranian state media IRIB.

Trump declared the Strait of Hormuz “American territory” during a campaign rally in South Carolina, while defending the US campaign against Iran, Fox News reported.

Trump said the US acted to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, insisting Tehran would never be allowed to develop one. He also said Iran wants a deal with Washington but suggested the US may not want an agreement on Tehran’s terms.

Trump said oil prices would fall once the conflict with Iran ends, predicting they would drop below levels seen before the latest escalation.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Oman's Ambassador to the United States Talal Al Rahbi in Washington and discussed issues of mutual interest, while reaffirming the strong cooperation between the two countries, the Oman Embassy in Washington said on Friday.

In a post shared on X, the Oman Embassy said, "H.E. Ambassador Talal Al Rahbi met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of an event organized by the U.S. Department of State at the Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C."

"During their conversation, they exchanged views on a number of issues of mutual interest, commended the strong cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the United States, and underscored the importance of continued coordination and cooperation in addressing shared issues and challenges," it added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that the US anti-Iran economic operation is doomed to fail like its other coercive measures against the country.

"14 years ago: 'Most crippling sanctions in history.' Failed. 8 years ago: 'Maximum pressure.' Failed. 5 months ago: 'Unconditional surrender.' Failed. Today: 'Most crushing economic operation ever.' Bound to fail," Araghchi posted on social media platform X.

The remarks came after US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday "the most crushing economic operation ever taken" against any country providing a lifeline to Iran, reports Xinhua news agency.

Earlier Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said that the United States is now further pressuring Iran under the label of an "economic war," which he views as an attempt to cover up Washington's previous failure.

Gharibabadi said in a social media post that while the United States claims Iran is "on the verge of collapse," it is reaching out to all its allies for help, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that American forces have redirected 68 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two others as part of efforts to enforce a blockade against Iran amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post shared on X, CENTCOM said US sailors observed an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter landing on the flight deck of the USS Ross (DDG 71), one of more than 20 warships supporting the US blockade against Iran.

"U.S. Sailors observe an MH-60R Sea Hawk landing on the flight deck aboard USS Ross (DDG 71). Ross is one of more than 20 warships supporting the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 21, U.S. forces have redirected 68 commercial vessels, disabled 3 and boarded 2 to ensure compliance," the post read.

The development comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy transit route, where maritime operations have intensified in recent months.

• Trump says Iran wants a deal: US President Donald Trump said Tehran wants an agreement but is not ready to accept what he calls the “right deal”.

• Strait of Hormuz: Trump claimed the US has “total control” over the region around the strategic waterway.

• US economic pressure: Trump announced tougher measures targeting Iran’s oil-smuggling networks, financial transfers, exchange houses, ship registries and front companies.

• Nuclear warning: Trump reiterated that Iran will not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.

• Iran rejects US campaign: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the latest US pressure strategy another approach destined to fail.

• Iran sets conditions: Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the US meets commitments including lifting the blockade, releasing frozen Iranian assets and easing oil sanctions.

• Tensions remain high: The dispute over the Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the escalating confrontation between Washington and Tehran.

US stocks recovered on Friday, trimming losses from a volatile week, even as rising Treasury yields continued to pressure Wall Street.

The S&P 500 gained 0.4% to 7,674.37, while the Dow Jones rose 1%, or 518 points, to 53,277.01. The Nasdaq added 0.4% to 26,180.45.

Bond yields remain a concern

The 10-year US Treasury yield climbed to 4.73%, while the 30-year yield approached its highest level since 2007. Rising yields can weigh on the economy and make other investments less attractive.

Higher oil prices, driven partly by uncertainty over when tankers can freely leave the Arabian Gulf amid the Iran war, added to inflation concerns. Brent crude settled at $92.67 a barrel, up 0.8%.

Bitcoin and gold gain

Bitcoin climbed above $77,000, up from below $63,000 a week earlier, boosting crypto-related stocks. Robinhood jumped 13.7%, while Coinbase gained 8.2%.

Gold also rose, briefly topping $4,690 an ounce, helping mining stocks including Newmont and Freeport-McMoRan.

Retailers lead gains

Ross Stores jumped 4.4% after reporting better-than-expected quarterly profit and revenue, helped by new customers, stronger demand from existing shoppers and tariff refunds.

Meanwhile, OSI Systems fell 5.2% after weaker-than-expected revenue, with the company citing the impact of Middle East conflicts on planned deliveries

An oil tanker under US sanctions for allegedly transporting Iranian petroleum products was seized off the coast of Yemen and diverted towards Somalia, Reuters reported on Friday, in the latest attack amid a resurgence of Somali piracy.

The Eritrea-flagged Sibu 1 was boarded by six armed individuals on Thursday, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The US Treasury sanctioned the tanker in December for allegedly being part of a “shadow fleet” used to transport Iranian petroleum products in an effort to evade sanctions.

The vessel was at least the 13th ship attacked this year off Somalia or in the Gulf of Aden, compared with five such attacks throughout 2025, according to International Maritime Bureau data and UKMTO reports cited by Reuters.

Day 169: Oman, Iran discuss resuming talks on Strait of Hormuz

Day 168: US-Iran conflict: Trump says Iran situation is ‘so good

Day 167: Trump says no talks planned; UAE detects Iranian missiles

Day 166: Israel strikes Lebanon; Oman holds Hormuz talks

Day 165: US-Iran tensions rise over Trump’s Hormuz claim

Day 164: Iran demands faster US exit from Middle East

Day 163: 2 ADNOC vessels attacked in Hormuz; no injuries

Day 162: Trump says US has ‘total control’ of Strait of Hormuz

Day 161: Tehran: Hormuz stays shut as US-Iran diplomacy push continues

Day 160: Tehran reshuffles military