Tehran says messages received from neighboring countries for "new security commitments" as Trump declares Strait of Hormuz "American territory."

By The South Asia Times -

TEHRAN/WASHINGTON - Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf announced on Saturday that Tehran has received messages from neighboring nations regarding "shaping new security commitments and economic cooperation in the region".

In a post on X, Ghalibaf argued that a "homegrown, independent" security order is essential for guaranteeing peace and stability in the Middle East, asserting that the United States had endangered the security of its own allies by prioritizing Israel's interests.

The comments come as Ghalibaf concluded a three-day visit to Iraq, where he said a "comprehensive agreement and memorandum of understanding" on security and border issues was signed. He emphasized that Iran and Iraq could play a "highly influential role in ensuring lasting regional security within the new regional order".

Meanwhile, Iran's Defense Ministry announced a significant ramp-up in military production. Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik, the ministry spokesman, said production of some strategic defense products increased more than threefold during the recent 40-day war with the US and Israel.

Speaking on state television, Talaei-Nik stated that Iran's defense industry had doubled arms production over the past year despite the conflict and has plans to increase output three- to fivefold . He said Iran now ranks among the top 10 countries globally in missile technology and is a leading nation in drone technology, achieving 90% self-sufficiency in weapons production .

- Trump Claims Control of Strait of Hormuz

The developments follow US President Donald Trump's declaration that he views the Strait of Hormuz as "American territory".

Speaking to reporters and at a campaign rally, Trump said the US has "total control of that entire region having to do with the Strait of Hormuz" . He suggested Iran is "desperate to make a deal" but "not ready to make the right deal," while vowing that Tehran will "never have a nuclear weapon" .

Iranian officials swiftly rejected Trump's claim. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the remarks would be "corrected either by circumstances or by Iran" . Supreme National Security Council head Mohsen Rezaei noted that "the gap between America's inability to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and its claim to own it is greater than the 7,000-mile distance between Washington and the Strait itself" .

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical flashpoint, with oil shipments through the waterway virtually halted as the US-Iran conflict approaches its six-month mark . The US is preparing to announce what officials call "the toughest sanctions in history" against Iran on Monday