Tehran: Rebuffing US President Donald Trump's statement that he would declare the Strait of Hormuz as US territory, a senior Iranian diplomat has asserted that the strait belongs solely to Iran and called on the US to admit defeat in its ongoing conflict with Iran. "The Strait of Hormuz cannot be seized by a tweet, an aircraft carrier, an order, or an election speech," Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi wrote on US social media company X on Friday, emphasizing Iran's unwavering stance. According to TRTworld.com, Gharibabadi further reiterated, "The Strait of Hormuz was Iran's, is Iran's, and will remain Iran's. This strait will be closed and opened only at Iran's command, and until you accept the reality of your defeat and abandon your fantasies, Iran will continue to impose a blockade (on Hormuz)." His remarks come in response to Trump's assertion that the US Navy was enforcing a complete blockade of the Strait and his intention to declare it US territory soon. Trump has urged Americans to brace for slightly higher gasoline prices as the conflict with Iran continues. On his Truth Social platform, he claimed that the US had "full control" over the Strait of Hormuz, expressing confidence in maintaining that control. Ibrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran's highest military body, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, stated that no vessel would be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without Iran's permission and supervision. On Friday, only two vessels were recorded passing through the strait, a stark contrast to the over 130 ships that traversed it daily before the conflict, according to ship-tracking firm Kpler. The tensions have escalated further with reports from the United Arab Emirates' Abu Dhabi National Oil Company that two of its vessels were attacked while transiting the strait. The Emirati state news agency WAM also reported another vessel being attacked on Friday. While both nations label their actions as blockades, the prospect of peace talks remains uncertain. The June agreement to end the conflict is in disarray, and there is no indication of a resumption of negotiations between the US and Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi has confirmed that no decision has been made to restart talks, although mediators from Qatar and Pakistan are in contact with Iran.