Iran Hits Back at Trump’s ‘Chess Game’ Remarks Amid Strait of Hormuz Tensions

TEHRAN:** Amid escalating tensions and intense fighting in the Strait of Hormuz, the United States and Iran have continued their war of words alongside their military confrontation.

According to international media reports, US President Donald Trump had described Washington’s strategy of negotiations and pressure toward Iran as a “chess game,” drawing a sharp response from Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, speaking at his weekly press briefing, said, “Whether it is light or darkness, Iranians have proven that they are professional chess players.”

Baghaei said that as long as the US naval blockade and other violations by Washington continued, the necessary conditions would not exist for declaring the Strait of Hormuz a safe waterway.

His remarks came after President Trump indicated that the United States would give its economic pressure strategy against Iran more time instead of immediately pursuing further military action.

Trump had said the previous day that Washington was not engaged in full negotiations with Iran but was closely monitoring the situation. He compared the US strategy to a game of chess.

The Iranian spokesman, however, stressed that the Strait of Hormuz could not be considered a secure maritime passage while the US blockade and other alleged violations continued.

Iran had previously put forward several demands for reopening the strategic waterway, following which tensions between Washington and Tehran intensified further.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes and plays a crucial role in transporting oil from the Gulf to international markets.