'Iran Can't Blackmail Us': Trump After Iran Chokes Hormuz Again

Washington: After Tehran went back on its decision to open up the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump warned that that Iran should not "blackmail" the United States by flap gating the word's crucial energy chokepoint.

“We're talking to them. They wanted to close up the strait again -- you know, as they've been doing for years -- and they can't blackmail us,” Trump said while speaking at his Oval Office on Saturday.

Are Negotiations On?

Speaking about the hardline stance adopted by Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, amid reports of full-on negotiations betwen the two warring sides, Trump expressed hope saying, "They [Iran] got a little cute, as they have been doing for 47 years".

"It's going actually along very well, and we'll see, but we'll have some information by the end of the day", he added.

‘New Proposals’ For Iran

Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme National Security Council said that the Middle Eastern country was reviewing "new proposals" from the United States, even while maintaining its aggressive stance.

"In recent days, with the presence of the commander of the Pakistani army in Tehran as an intermediary and mediator in the negotiations, new proposals have been put forward by the Americans, which the Islamic Republic of Iran is currently reviewing and has not yet responded to," the Supreme National Security Council said.

It even added that Iran "will not make even the slightest compromise, retreat or leniency, and will defend with all its strength the interests of the Iranian nation".

Strait Of Hormuz Shut Again

Iran's military command maintained that Washington continued its naval blockade against Iran despite promising otherwise.

"Until the United States restores freedom of movement for all vessels visiting Iran, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain strictly controlled," it said.

Iran reverted back on its previous stance on the Strait of Hormuz, citing US naval blockade.

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