LIVE | Iranian regime likens Strait of Hormuz to 'an atomic bomb'

Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded a two-day visit to Italy on Friday by calling on the Europeans to help ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz.

"The world has to start asking itself, what is it willing to do if Iran tries to normalise a control of an international waterway? I think that's unacceptable," he told reporters.

Rubio noted that Trump has not yet made a decision on how he will respond to European countries, such as Italy or Spain, which refused to authorize the use of their military bases for U.S. aircraft to conduct operations against Iran.

"If one of the main reasons why the U.S. is in NATO is the ability to have forces deployed in Europe that we could project to other contingencies, and now that's no longer the case, at least when it comes to some NATO members, that's a problem, and it has to be examined," Rubio said.

An adviser to Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei declared Friday that the Strait of Hormuz represents "an opportunity as valuable as an atomic bomb," according to a video released by the official Mehr news agency.

"We have neglected for years the privilege of the Strait of Hormuz," said Mohamad Mojber, an adviser to Khamenei.

"Having in one's hands a position that allows influence on the world economy with a single decision is an important opportunity," he commented and vowed not to lose "the achievements of this war."

He mentioned the possibility of modifying the legal regime of the Strait of Hormuz relying "on international law" or, if necessary, "national law."

Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said his country is confident that Iran will deliver its response to the U.S. proposal aimed at ending the conflict this Friday. 

"We're expecting a response from them today at some point... I hope it's a serious offer, I really do," the secretary told reporters during a visit to Italy.

Also, Rubio criticized the Iranian regime's efforts to control the Strait of Hormuz, after a report noted that Tehran has created an authority to approve transit through that crucial sea lane.

"Iran now claims that they own, that they have a right to control, an international waterway... That's an unacceptable thing that they're trying to normalise," he said.

This Friday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported that an Iranian missile and drone attack on its territory caused three moderate injuries, AFP noted.

"UAE air defense systems intercepted two ballistic missiles and three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Iran, resulting in three moderate injuries," noted the Defense Ministry on the social network X.

The UAE has denounced several Iranian missile and drone attacks this week, the first since a ceasefire was established last month.

Iran had previously denied being behind the recent attacks on the UAE.

Iran announced Friday that it diverted to its shores an oil tanker sanctioned by the United States carrying Iranian crude oil, although its statement did not clarify the reasons why it was tapped.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, in a specially planned operation in the Sea of Oman, captured the offending oil tanker Ocean Koi," the Army said in a statement broadcast on state television, adding that the oil belonged to the "Islamic Republic."

According to the text, the vessel was redirected to Iran's southern shores after attempting to "damage and disrupt Iran's oil exports," without providing further details.

It further stated that the tanker "has carried millions of barrels of Iranian high sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) and condensate since May 2025."

Donald Trump called the latest incidents in the Strait of Hormuz a "love tap," and not a re-escalation, so the "cease-fire remains in effect."

The president made these remarks during a telephone conversation with ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott, which she shared on her X account.

The exchange of attacks in the Middle East sent oil prices soaring again, as optimism over an imminent peace deal fizzled out.

The cost of a barrel rose sharply during the Asian session, and continued its climb at the open of European markets. Brent was trading at $101, while WTI was trading at $95.22.

Donald Trump lashed out at Iranian leaders in the wake of the attack on three U.S. warships in the Strait of Hormuz, and warned them about the possibility of reactivating the attacks even more harshly and violently than at the start of the war.

"There was no damage done to the three Destroyers, but great damage done to the Iranian attackers. They were completely destroyed along with numerous small boats, which are being used to take the place of their fully decapitated Navy.

A normal Country would have allowed these Destroyers to pass, but Iran is not a normal Country. They are led by LUNATICS, and if they had the chance to use a Nuclear Weapon, they would do it, without question – But they’ll never have that opportunity and, just like we knocked them out again today, we’ll knock them out a lot harder, and a lot more violently, in the future, if they don’t get their Deal signed, FAST!"

The U.S. Central Command denounced that Iran attacked "without provocation" three of its destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz. The ships were not hit by drones and missiles fired at them, according to the information provided.

"US forces intercepted unprovoked Iranian attacks and responded with self-defense strikes as US Navy guided-missile destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman, May 7.

Iranian forces launched multiple missiles, drones and small boats as USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), and USS Mason (DDG 87) transited the international sea passage. No US assets were struck."