"Hormuz remains closed", Iranian president challenges US: We are not Venezuela

2026-08-23 09:45:09Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
"Hormuz remains closed", Iranian president challenges US: We are not
Two girls walk past an anti-Israel mural on a street in Tehran

"The Strait of Hormuz is closed and will not reopen until the US changes its stance and honors its commitments," said Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, according to whom Washington must take "concrete actions" before the strategic sea passage can be reopened.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump published on the social network Truth an image of the Strait of Hormuz with the caption "new American territory", reiterating his claims about the strategic importance of this area.

In response to President Trump, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that the country is in a “full-scale economic, military and security war” with the US, but stressed that Iran has not collapsed under the pressure of sanctions and US aggression. According to him, Iran is not like Venezuela, as it has shown stability, solidarity and cohesion.

"We are in a full-scale economic, military and security war. The enemy (the United States) claims to easily impose the most devastating or most terrible sanctions on Iran, but we oppose this unequal war. The enemy had estimated that if Iran fell, it would become like Venezuela. Not only did this not happen, but it became a power that amazed the world with its stability, solidarity and cohesion. We will do everything possible to avoid divisions, divisions, conflicts and egos. The enemy's goal was the fall of Iran, but this has not happened. They are closing roads, negotiating with Muslim governments so as not to make any agreements with Iran to force it to surrender, but we will never surrender," Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared.

Pezeshkian acknowledged economic difficulties and inflation, but assured that the government is working to improve the livelihoods of citizens and that Iran "will never surrender" in the face of international pressure.

"I understand that we have a lot of problems in society right now, but the government is trying to reduce inflation and ensure that people have a good and proud future and lifestyle."


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