Trump Declares Strait of Hormuz Potential U.S. Territory
On Friday, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would consider the Strait of Hormuz “American territory” following a successful defeat of Iran. This statement intensified U.S. claims over the vital waterway, while Iranian officials reaffirmed that “the strait has been Iran’s, is Iran’s, and always will be Iran’s.”
Speaking to a gathering in Nassau County, New York, Trump said, “As soon as we defeat Iran, which is going through a very tough time, we will declare the Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States.”
Though he didn’t provide specifics on how this declaration would be enacted, the remarks were a bold assertion of U.S. control over the strait, especially after he previously stated that the U.S. “owns” the waterway and might choose to keep it. “We have a blockade. No ships can come through unless we want them to,” Trump described, characterizing the U.S. maritime barrier as a “wall of steel” that is “unstoppable.” He added that the U.S. efforts serve not only American interests but those of the world, too.
In a Fox News interview prior to his speech, Trump elaborated on his message, claiming that the U.S. was already effectively controlling the strait and using the blockade to impose significant economic pressure on Tehran. “We have full control and truly own the Strait of Hormuz,” he stated. “We only allow boats in if we want them to come in.”
According to Trump, the blockade costs Iran “hundreds of millions of dollars every day,” noting that extensive U.S. sanctions further intensify the regime’s economic struggles. “We are imposing economic sanctions on them that no one has ever experienced before,” he remarked.
When asked about the potential for Iran to become more aggressive as the November midterms approach, Trump warned that political factors could influence the U.S. response. “We could really destroy this whole place, and we don’t want to do that,” he warned. “If they attack us, we will hit back 100 times harder.”
These comments came a day after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that the administration was set to expand its “economic anger” campaign against Iran, with new measures anticipated next week to enhance Iran’s economic isolation.
Bessent described the upcoming strategy as a “one-two punch” combining increased financial pressure with a blockade of Iranian ports. He assured that the measures would represent an unprecedented level of economic isolation and that the blockade would effectively restrict all shipping to and from Iranian ports.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military reported an expansion of the blockade, having diverted 62 commercial vessels, disabled three ships, and boarded two others to ensure compliance. Army Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed the Navy could maintain this blockade “indefinitely” with ongoing patrols.
The Trump administration increasingly sees the blockade as a long-term tactic aimed at undermining the Iranian government while allowing the U.S. to control regional shipping. Energy Secretary Chris Wright noted that between 8 and 9 million barrels of oil still flow through Hormuz each day, primarily on vessels running under U.S. escort.
In response to Trump’s statements, Iranian officials issued mixed messages regarding sovereignty over the strait, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Ghalibabadi asserting that it has always belonged to Iran. He remarked, “This strait will only be closed and opened under Iranian command,” threatening to continue their shipping restrictions until the U.S. recognizes their claimed “strategic defeat.”
Negotiations between the U.S. and the Iranian government appear to be in limbo. Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi noted that while Qatar and Pakistan have been in contact with Iran, no formal negotiations with the U.S. were taking place, disputing claims that prior diplomatic arrangements required an extension.
Trump emphasized on Friday that blocking Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains a core objective of his campaign, indicating that a temporary increase in gasoline prices for Americans might be a consequence of ongoing pressures against Tehran. “When you pay a little more for gas, you’re doing it to keep a very evil country from having nuclear weapons,” Trump stated.
He also defended his military actions against Iran, expressing that while he might not have wished for increased military involvement, it was a necessary step. “If we hadn’t attacked Iran, we would have nuclear weapons,” he declared, suggesting it would have been a devastating situation for the U.S. and the world.
As tensions rise, Trump framed the Iranian threat as indicative of an already weakened administration, stating, “Nobody knows how successful we are.” He left many in uncertainty about the U.S.’s trajectory regarding Iranian relations.
