Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Iran Says Laws Protect Sovereign Rights Over Gulf, Hormuz
Iran is a country that sits next to a very important waterway called the Strait of Hormuz.
Many ships carrying oil and other goods sail through this waterway.
Iran says it has laws that protect its rights over this water and the nearby seas.
A spokesperson for Iran's government, named Esmail Baghaei, talked about this on Monday.
He said Iran's parliament makes the laws and the government must help with them.
The United States and Iran are having a big disagreement.
The US President, Donald Trump, said he wants to make the Strait of Hormuz part of the United States.
He said this at a big rally with his supporters.
Many countries are worried because this waterway is very important for shipping energy around the world.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Iran already has laws governing its sovereign rights over the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman.
Baghaei said the Foreign Ministry respects decisions of the Iranian Parliament and is constitutionally obligated to cooperate in legislative matters.
The remarks come amid escalating tensions over control and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global energy shipments.
US President Donald Trump said on Friday he plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz 'a territory of the United States' after the war with Iran.
Trump made the remarks at a Republican rally in Long Island.
- Who
- Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, and US President Donald Trump
- What
- Iran said it already has laws governing its sovereign rights over the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman, while Trump said he plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory
- When
- Monday for Baghaei's remarks; Friday for Trump's remarks
- Where
- Tehran (press briefing) and Long Island (Republican rally)
- Why
- Tensions are escalating over control and navigation through the strategic waterway, which is key for global energy shipments
Iran's Position
US Position
Sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Position
Iran says it already has laws protecting its sovereign rights over the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman, and its Foreign Ministry takes existing legislation into account.
US Position
US President Donald Trump says he plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz 'a territory of the United States' after the war with Iran.
- Spokesperson
- Esmail Baghaei
- Country
- Iran
- Waterways in question
- Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Sea of Oman
- Trump's statement
- Plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz 'a territory of the United States' after the war with Iran
- Trump's venue
- Republican rally in Long Island
- Context
- Escalating tensions over control and navigation of the strategic waterway
- Significance of waterway
- Key waterway for global energy shipments