Iran's Acting Defence Minister, Brigadier General Majid Ebn-e-Reza, on Thursday, 6 August declared that the Iranian Armed Forces are fully prepared to respond to any threat, citing the country's self-reliant domestic defence industry. The statement comes at a moment of sharply escalating rhetoric between Tehran and Washington, with US President Donald Trump threatening military strikes and demanding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

What the Acting Defence Minister Said

'Every day, the signs of the enemy's erosion of power become more evident; however, our Armed Forces, relying on the country's defence industry, are fully equipped to respond to any threat,' Ebn-e-Reza said, according to Iran's official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), in a message shared on his social media account.

He further warned that nations seeking to purchase security and military superiority from foreign suppliers would soon discover that Iran's indigenous technology surpasses any system deployed in the region. The remarks signal Tehran's intent to project deterrence through domestic capability rather than diplomatic accommodation.

Trump's Strait of Hormuz Ultimatum

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (US local time) warned that Iran would be 'hit very hard' if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened 'very soon.' Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, Trump had earlier framed the demand in stark terms, calling it a 'last chance before decapitation' and suggesting the strait could be reopened 'literally by tomorrow.'

'I mean they're going to go quickly, one way or the other. It's not very complex,' Trump said at the Oval Office. The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, is one of the world's most critical energy corridors, channelling oil and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports from major Gulf producers to global markets.

Tehran Denies Any Talks with Washington

Despite Trump claiming in a Fox News interview that the United States is 'having very good discussions' with Iran, Tehran flatly rejected the assertion. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, speaking at a news briefing in Tehran hours before Trump's remarks, stated: 'We are not holding any negotiations with the United States at present.'

Baqaei also noted that, except for Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi — who was on a pilgrimage to Iraq — all Iranian negotiators remained in Iran, further undercutting the US claim of active dialogue.

Strategic Stakes at the Strait of Hormuz

The standoff over the Strait of Hormuz carries outsized global consequences. Approximately 20% of the world's traded oil passes through the narrow waterway daily, making any disruption a potential shock to international energy markets. This is not the first time the strait has become a flashpoint; similar crises emerged in 2019 amid US-Iran tensions following Washington's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.

Notably, Ebn-e-Reza's statement is the latest in a series of public postures by Iranian military officials underscoring readiness for conflict — a pattern that analysts say is as much about domestic messaging as external deterrence.

What Happens Next

With both sides publicly denying the other's narrative — the US claiming talks are under way, Iran denying them — the risk of miscalculation remains elevated. Energy markets and regional neighbours, particularly Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, are closely watching whether the standoff escalates beyond rhetoric into action. Any move to restrict or close the strait would trigger immediate global economic consequences.