A senior Iranian lawmaker has sharply criticized US President Donald Trump over his recent comments about the security of the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran does not need any outside help to protect the strategic waterway.

Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, responded to Trump’s remarks in a post on social media. He said Trump appeared eager to become the “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz but insisted that Iran does not require any “foreign labor” to safeguard the route.

In a sarcastic comment, Rezaei added that if Trump was so interested in working as a guard, he should become a caretaker at Senator Lindsey Graham’s grave.

The remarks came after Trump spoke about the Strait of Hormuz during a telephone interview with Fox News. According to reports, Trump said the United States would keep the waterway secure and could even become its protector. He suggested that Washington should be compensated for providing such security.

Trump argued that many countries benefit from safe passage through the strait and that the US should not be expected to shoulder the responsibility without payment. He also issued a warning to Iran, claiming that recent American actions had caused significant damage to Iranian military equipment and air defense systems.

The exchange has added to growing tensions between Tehran and Washington, with both sides engaging in a fresh war of words over regional security.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important shipping routes, carrying a large share of global oil exports, making any dispute in the area a matter of international concern.