Iran has firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that Washington would assume control of the Strait of Hormuz, condemning the move as a dangerous escalation and reaffirming that the Islamic Republic will never allow foreign powers to interfere in the management of one of the world’s most strategic waterways.

Trump declared on Monday that the United States would immediately reinstate a naval blockade targeting Iran, claiming Washington would become the “Guardian of the Hormuz Strait” and impose a 20 percent charge on cargo passing through the vital maritime corridor.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump asserted that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open "with or without Iran," saying the restrictions would apply only to Iranian vessels or their customers, while announcing that the United States would collect transit fees to finance its military presence in the region.

The announcement came after Trump also stated earlier in the day that the United States intended to "keep" and effectively "run" the strategic waterway, while accusing Tehran of violating previous understandings between the two countries.

Iran responded swiftly, with the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters declaring that the Islamic Republic categorically rejects any American attempt to assume authority over the Strait of Hormuz.

In a strongly worded statement, the headquarters said recent U.S. efforts to intervene in the management of the waterway threaten regional stability, international trade and global energy security, warning that Washington’s actions are increasing the risk of a broader regional conflict.

The statement further criticized the cooperation of certain regional governments with the United States, arguing that such collaboration has emboldened American military actions and heightened tensions across West Asia.

Iran also warned that any regional state providing military support to Washington or backing Israel in actions against the Islamic Republic would be regarded as participating in hostile acts against Iran’s sovereignty and national security.

Iranian authorities reiterated that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains suspended pending further notice and that all maritime movements require prior authorization, emphasizing that the measure follows recent U.S. military attacks on Iranian territory.

According to Iranian officials, American strikes in recent days targeted Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Sirik, Qeshm, Jask, Konarak and Chabahar, damaging coastal surveillance systems, air-defense installations, missile and drone facilities, naval infrastructure, civilian sites, fishing ports and areas surrounding the Bushehr nuclear power plant. Officials stressed that while the vicinity of the nuclear facility was struck, the reactor itself remained unharmed.

Despite the growing confrontation with Washington, Tehran signaled that diplomatic efforts remain active.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi in Muscat, where legal and technical delegations from both countries discussed continued coordination on maritime navigation and the administration of the Strait of Hormuz.

Araghchi said the consultations would continue at both the political and technical levels, reaffirming Iran’s commitment to close cooperation with neighboring Oman to safeguard regional stability and maritime security.

Oman's Foreign Ministry confirmed that the talks focused on ensuring the safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law, underscoring Muscat’s continuing role in promoting dialogue and de-escalation amid rising regional tensions.

Tehran has maintained that the security of the Strait of Hormuz must remain under the responsibility of the regional states and has repeatedly rejected what it describes as unlawful foreign military interference in one of the world's most vital energy corridors. (ILKHA)