Iran Defiant on Strait as Trump Tells Americans to Accept Higher Gas Prices

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on X that the Strait of Hormuz will only be opened and closed under Iran's command. This comes as the U.S. maintains a blockade of Iranian ports and sanctions on its oil exports, causing high inflation in the country.

U.S. President Donald Trump told a rally in Garden City, New York, that Americans should accept slightly higher gasoline prices while the conflict continues, saying 'a tiny little bit more for your gasoline' is worth the cost of ensuring 'a very evil country' does not get a nuclear weapon.

The average U.S. price of a gallon of gasoline was $4.08 on Friday, up 29% from a year earlier, according to the American Automobile Association. Crude oil futures rose $1 a barrel on Friday, with benchmark Brent futures on track for a weekly rise of 6.0% and West Texas Intermediate 5.4%.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Washington must meet conditions on the Strait of Hormuz in order for shipping to resume, but did not confirm if Iran had decided to resume talks with the U.S.