Iranian deputy parliament speaker says Hormuz is Tehran’s 'atomic bomb'

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif criticized US President Donald Trump’s plan to blockade the Strait of Hormuz in a post on X on Sunday.

“Blockading Hormuz — which is not blocked — to help global economy,” Zarif wrote. “Another ‘Art of the Deal’ Masterstroke?”

“The worst gamblers don't know when to leave a losing table,” he added.

The commander of the Iranian army's navy described US President Donald Trump’s remarks about blockading the Strait of Hormuz as “funny and ridiculous.”

“The Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army has monitored and continues to monitor all movements of the US military in the region,” Shahram Irani added.

Trump said on Sunday that the US Navy would immediately begin blockading the Strait of Hormuz and interdict vessels that have paid tolls to Iran.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he is working to stop the war between Israel and Hezbollah and secure the withdrawal of Israeli force.

“We will continue to work to stop this war, to ensure the Israeli withdrawal from all our lands, the return of all the prisoners, to rebuild our destroyed villages and towns, and the safe return of the displaced,” Salam said in a speech on the eve of the anniversary of the start of Lebanon’s 1975–1990 civil war.

“We are continuing our efforts… to negotiate to stop the war,” he added in the televised address ahead of planned talks on Tuesday in Washington between Lebanese, Israeli and US officials.

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the United States must decide whether it is prepared to gain Iran’s trust following intensive negotiations in Islamabad.

“We had very intensive, serious and challenging talks,” IRGC-affiliated Fars News quoted Ghalibaf as saying on Sunday.

He added that Washington must decide whether it is ready to take steps to build trust, something he said was seen less from the American side in this round of talks.

Ghalibaf said the Iranian nation would not yield to threats, responding to remarks by US President Donald Trump.

“If ​you fight, we will fight, ​and if you come forward with logic, we will deal with logic,” he said.

The United Kingdom is working with France and other partners to form a “wide coalition” to ensure passage through the Strait of Hormuz, CNN reported citing a UK government spokesperson.

“We continue to support freedom of navigation and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is urgently needed to support the global economy and the cost of living back home,” the spokesperson said on Sunday.

“The Strait of Hormuz must not be subject to tolling,” the spokesperson added. “We are urgently working with France and other partners to put together a wide coalition to protect freedom of navigation.”