DUBAI/CAIRO/GARDEN CITY: Iran has called on the United States to accept defeat as tensions over the ongoing war remain high, while US President Donald Trump described Tehran as a “very evil” country and warned Americans to prepare for continued high fuel prices.

Efforts toward peace talks remain stalled, while commercial shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz has also been severely disrupted. There were no clear signs that Iran, the United States and Israel were moving closer to an agreement that could bring an end to the conflict.

Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Remains Under Its Control

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran would determine when the Strait of Hormuz would be opened or closed. He called on Washington to acknowledge what Iran described as its defeat and abandon expectations that the strategic waterway could be controlled through military pressure.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi also said Tehran had not yet decided whether to resume negotiations with Washington. He said the United States would have to meet Iran’s conditions concerning the Strait of Hormuz before shipping could return to normal.

The waterway is one of the world’s most important energy routes, with roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies passing through it under normal conditions. Any prolonged disruption therefore carries significant consequences for global energy markets.

US Fuel Prices Rise as Conflict Continues

President Trump urged Americans to accept higher gasoline prices while the conflict with Iran continues. Speaking at a political rally in Garden City, New York, Trump said paying somewhat more for gasoline was a necessary cost of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, one of the reasons his administration has cited for military action.

The increase in fuel prices is already creating political and economic pressure in the United States. The average US gasoline price reached around $4.08 per gallon, representing a 29% increase from the same period a year earlier, according to the American Automobile Association.

Trump campaigned on a promise to reduce energy costs, while Democrats are expected to highlight the economic consequences of the conflict during the November congressional elections.

Oil Prices Climb as Hormuz Traffic Falls

Global oil markets have responded to the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Crude oil futures increased by around $1 a barrel, while benchmark Brent crude was on track for a weekly gain of about 6%, with West Texas Intermediate rising approximately 5.4%.

The sharp reduction in tanker traffic has intensified concerns about global energy supplies. According to analysis by ship-tracking company Kpler, only two vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz, with no crude oil shipments visible.

Before the conflict, more than 130 vessels crossed the waterway each day, highlighting the scale of the current disruption.

Tankers Face Growing Security Risks

Ships attempting to navigate the Strait of Hormuz without Iranian permission face the risk of missile and drone attacks, according to reports.

The United Arab Emirates’ Abu Dhabi National Oil Company said two of its vessels came under attack while transiting the strait. UAE state news agency WAM later reported that another vessel was attacked.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre also reported that a bulk carrier was struck in its hull by an unidentified projectile while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. The crew was reported safe, although the extent of damage and any environmental consequences remained unclear.

The incidents have further increased concerns among shipping companies and energy traders about the safety of one of the world’s most important maritime routes.

Washington Threatens More Pressure on Tehran

Despite Iran’s defiant position, the conflict is also imposing growing economic pressure on Tehran. Trump and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have pledged to increase financial pressure on Iran.

Bessent said additional measures against Tehran were expected to be announced, signaling that Washington could introduce further economic restrictions as the conflict continues.

Iran describes its restrictions on maritime traffic as enforcement of its control over the strategic waterway, while Washington has characterized its own actions against Iranian vessels as part of efforts to challenge what it calls an Iranian blockade.

Trump has defended the continued US military presence in the region, saying the deployment of a US aircraft carrier supporting the war effort had already lasted 260 days.

Peace Efforts Remain Stalled

Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have also suffered a setback. A tentative agreement reached in June has effectively collapsed, according to Iranian officials.

Araqchi said Iran did not consider the current situation to be an extension of an existing ceasefire. Instead, he described the circumstances as a new phase of the conflict.

The lack of progress in negotiations has raised fears that the confrontation could continue for an extended period, increasing pressure on global energy markets and worsening the humanitarian and economic consequences across the region.

Houthi Attacks Raise Fears of Wider Regional Conflict

The conflict has also renewed concerns about a broader regional escalation involving Iran-backed groups.

In Yemen, the internationally recognized government said the Houthis launched six ballistic missiles toward the Red Sea port of Mocha, killing four civilians.

Meanwhile, the Houthi-run SABA news agency cited a military source as saying the group had targeted an Aramco facility in Saudi Arabia’s Najran region with a drone.

The latest incidents demonstrate the potential for the conflict to spread beyond the immediate confrontation involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

Strait of Hormuz Emerges as Key Flashpoint

The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as one of the most important flashpoints in the conflict because of its critical role in global energy transportation.

Iran’s insistence that the waterway remains under its control, combined with US military pressure and attacks on commercial vessels, has created an increasingly uncertain environment for international shipping.

As diplomatic efforts remain stalled, the future of the Strait of Hormuz could have major consequences for oil prices, fuel costs, global trade and inflation.

For now, the conflict shows little sign of ending, while governments, energy markets and shipping companies continue to monitor developments around the strategically vital waterway.