Trump claims full control of Strait of Hormuz as Iran draws up retaliation target list

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States had "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz and that it was "sealed up tight" until such time as Iran was able to make a deal, while Iran had drawn up a target list for retaliation against the United States and its allies.

Trump made the remarks in a social media post, adding that "no ship can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy."

He also said on Thursday that he has ordered the U.S. Navy "to shoot and kill" any boat putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz.

There is to be "no hesitation" for U.S. forces to attack Iran's "small boats" putting mines, and the U.S. minesweepers are clearing the Strait of Hormuz right now, Trump said on his Truth Social.

Meanwhile, against the backdrop of diplomatic setbacks and a lack of trust in negotiations, Iran has drawn up a target list, based on the principles of reciprocal response and offensive deterrence, to address potential military actions by the United States and its allies.

Iran has prepared different responses for different scenarios: striking enemy power plants if its own are hit; targeting U.S. allies' energy facilities if its oil and gas sector is attacked, with the aim of cutting global oil output by 25 million barrels a day for one year; hitting AI and IT centers if its officials are assassinated; and launching massive missile and drone strikes against enemy aircraft carriers and helicopters if its territory is violated.

Iran also threatened to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and completely seal the Strait of Hormuz through large-scale mining if a U.S. naval blockade continues or escalates.

Should the U.S. launch a ground invasion using regional bases, Iran said it would coordinate with resistance front forces and local armed groups to capture U.S. soldiers. Surprise attacks on U.S. interests outside the region are also possible.

Trump claims full control of Strait of Hormuz as Iran draws up retaliation target list

Chinese authorities announced Friday that starting from January 1, 2027, the country will cancel the policies of halving the vehicle and vessel tax for energy-saving vehicles and exempting certain new energy vehicles (NEVs), including pure electric commercial vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cell commercial vehicles from the tax.

With the adjustment, taxpayers who have acquired or will acquire the above-mentioned vehicles will be required to pay the annual tax starting next year, according to the Ministry of Finance.

However, pure electric passenger vehicles and fuel cell passenger vehicles remain unaffected by this policy adjustment and will continue to be exempt from the tax, as the two categories do not fall within the taxable scope stipulated by the vehicle and vessel tax law.

The vehicle and vessel tax is a property tax levied annually on the owners or managers of vehicles and vessels. Provincial-level regions can set region-specific applicable tax amounts within a certain range of tax rates.

Since 2012, China has implemented preferential vehicle and vessel tax policies to support the growth of the NEV industry and promote energy conservation and emission reduction. In recent years, the sector has witnessed rapid growth, along with rising challenges brought about by the preferential treatment to tax equity and the regulatory role of tax.

Analysts believe that this policy adjustment will help promote tax equity and guide the sound development of the NEV industry.

China to cancel vehicle and vessel tax preferential policy for energy-saving vehicles, NEVs