Iran says it perceives every 'enemy' threat as 'noteworthy', denies deal on reopening Hormuz
Tehran, Aug 2
Iran's Acting Defence Minister Seyed Majid Ebn Al-Reza said Sunday that Tehran perceives every "enemy" threat as "real and noteworthy," rejecting any characterisation of them as mere psychological warfare.
"We will neither be surprised nor remain passive. We use threats as a basis to increase our preparedness, strengthen our deterrence, and develop our power," Al-Reza wrote on X after US President Donald Trump said earlier that he had agreed to hold off fresh attacks against Iran, Xinhua News Agency reported.
In his post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States was "locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II", but held off after being "asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries", citing a forthcoming deal that would include the "Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran's nuclear threat".
Earlier US media reports had suggested US and Israeli strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure could begin over the weekend.
Israel's Channel 12 news reported Sunday that Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has agreed to a Qatari-US-brokered compromise deal allowing ships to enter the Gulf through the Iranian-controlled side and exit via Omani waters.
However, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency, citing a source close to the Iranian negotiating team, quickly rejected the claim.
Fars also quoted a military source as saying that as long as the US "hostile and malicious acts" continue, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed, with vessels permitted to transit only via Iran-designated routes and with the coordination and permission of the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The source warned that other routes are unsafe, adding that Iran's policies on the strategic waterway remain unchanged.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who follows international relations closely, this seesaw between Iran and the US is exhausting. Trump's "locked and loaded" rhetoric doesn't help anyone. The Hormuz closure hurts poorer nations the most - India, Pakistan, Bangladesh - who are already struggling with high energy prices. Diplomacy, not threats, is the only way forward.
Iran is playing a smart game. They know America doesn't want another full-blown Middle East war right now. And the "deal" talk about Hormuz is just smoke and mirrors - Iran controls that waterway, period. Our own refineries in Jamnagar and Paradip need consistent crude supply. Hope Modi ji is having back-channel talks with all parties.
Every time Iran and the US have a standoff, we in India feel it at the petrol pump. 😩 Last time this happened, our LPG and diesel prices shot up. I just hope the government has enough strategic oil reserves stocked up. These geopolitical games always end up hurting common people.
The US has been issuing threats against Iran for decades, and Iran always finds a way to counter. This "deal" about opening Hormuz through Qatar sounds like typical Middle East diplomatic theatre. What really matters is whether India's energy imports remain uninterrupted. Our strategic interests lie in peace, not in this chest-thumping.
Honestly, I feel Iran has every right to control its own waters. The US can't just bully countries into submission. But as an Indian, I'm also worried about our Chabahar port project - if things escalate, that trade route could be affected
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.