News Desk - Iran issued a sharp rebuke of President Donald Trump's assertion that the United States might take over the Strait of Hormuz, declaring the critical waterway is "not your personal casino" and rejecting what Tehran called U.S. attempts to seize control of the strategically vital passage.

Trump raised the prospect of U.S. intervention to secure the waterway after Iran announced its closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which immediately triggered surges in global oil prices and threatened to disrupt worldwide energy supplies. He stated that if Iran hindered passage through Hormuz, the "Guardian Angel" toll of 35% on shipping would be "increased," and asserted that the closing of the Hormuz Strait "never would have happened" if he was not president. Iran's response rejected Trump's claim as an attempt to justify U.S. military dominance over the waterway, which handles approximately 21% of global oil consumption and is critical for international energysecurity.

At the end of the first round of peace talks in Switzerland, mediators Pakistan and Qatar announced that Washington and Tehran agreed to establish a communication line (de-confliction cell) involving Lebanon to prevent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, demonstrating progress despite the confrontational rhetoric. The communication line represents a breakthrough as negotiators enter a 60-day sprint to finalize the technical details of the 14-point Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed between Trump and Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian last week.

Iran's firm rejection of Trump's "personal casino" claim underscores Tehran's determination to maintain control over the waterway despite the high-stakes negotiations, while the establishment of the communication line signals progress toward ending military conflict in the region.