US President Donald Trump has reiterated that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, as tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high amid stalled diplomatic efforts and continuing disputes over the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains the primary objective of his administration. “The number one goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot have, in any way, shape, or form, a nuclear weapon,” he wrote.
Trump’s latest warning comes as negotiations between the United States and Iran remain stalled. The two sides have also been locked in a wider dispute over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global energy supplies normally passes. Recent shipping activity through the waterway has slowed sharply amid the continuing tensions.
Iran Responds To Trump’s Hormuz Threat
Iranian officials have continued to reject US pressure and have issued increasingly strong warnings over Washington’s position on the Strait of Hormuz.
Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security Committee, directly responded to Trump’s recent statements regarding the strategic waterway.
Azizi said Trump should focus on his own security rather than making what he described as “endless bluffs” about the Strait of Hormuz.
“The President of the United States, instead of his endless bluffs regarding the Strait of Hormuz, should be thinking about securing his own safety,” Azizi said in a post on X.
His comments came after Trump threatened to designate the Strait of Hormuz as US territory after claiming that Iran would be defeated. Trump has also said the US effectively controls the waterway because of the blockade.
Iran has rejected the suggestion that Washington can claim control over the strategic passage. Iranian officials have insisted that any decision regarding the reopening or closure of the waterway remains under Iran’s authority.
Strait Of Hormuz Dispute Escalates
The dispute over Hormuz has become a central issue in the confrontation between Iran and the United States.
The waterway is one of the world’s most important energy routes, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider global shipping network. Any prolonged disruption can affect crude oil, LNG shipments, freight costs and international energy prices.
Recent shipping data showed a significant decline in traffic through the strait. Five commodity vessels crossed the waterway on Saturday, while no registered transit was recorded on Sunday, compared with 31 vessels during the previous weekend.
Iranian and US positions remain far apart. Tehran has linked the reopening of the waterway to changes in US policy, compensation for war-related damage, sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian assets.
Trump Maintains Focus On Iran’s Nuclear Programme
Trump’s latest statement shows that Iran’s nuclear programme remains a central issue for Washington.
The US president has repeatedly said that Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. The administration has used the nuclear issue as one of the principal justifications for maintaining pressure on Tehran.
Iran, however, has consistently rejected claims that it is seeking nuclear weapons and has maintained that its nuclear programme has peaceful purposes.
The disagreement over Iran’s nuclear activities has remained one of the most difficult issues in relations between the two countries.
The current crisis has now expanded beyond the nuclear question, with the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions, economic pressure and military operations also forming major points of disagreement.
Diplomatic Efforts Remain Uncertain
Diplomatic efforts to resolve the confrontation remain uncertain. A US-Iran memorandum aimed at ending the conflict was due to expire on August 17, while talks remained stalled, according to a live regional update.
Iran has maintained that messages exchanged through regional intermediaries, including Qatar and Pakistan, do not necessarily amount to formal negotiations. Separate discussions involving Oman have focused on arrangements concerning shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The lack of progress has increased concerns that the dispute could continue to affect regional security and global energy markets.
For Washington, preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains the stated priority. For Tehran, resistance to US pressure and control over its strategic interests remain central to its position.
The latest exchange between Trump and Azizi highlights how sharply the two sides continue to disagree. While Trump insists that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon, Iranian officials are warning Washington against further threats and pressure over the Strait of Hormuz.
With diplomatic efforts still uncertain, the dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme and the strategic waterway remains a major source of tension across the Middle East.