According to CoinMeta, Iran has refuted U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that the Strait of Hormuz will soon become U.S. territory. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Ghalibadi stated, "The Strait of Hormuz has always been Iranian, and it will continue to be Iranian. The strait will only be closed and opened under Iranian command." Meanwhile, the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre ( UKMTO ) confirmed receiving reports that a bulk carrier was hit by an unidentified object. Despite the ongoing military and diplomatic deadlock, energy prices remain higher than they were before the war. Trump said that Americans need to tolerate slightly higher fuel prices as a punishment for Iran.