Trump says he will declare Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory 'pretty soon'

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory, asserting America's control over the vital waterway through a naval blockade. The remarks came during a visit to a police academy in Garden City, New York, as ongoing disruptions to shipping through the strait, a critical route for oil, natural gas, and other commodities, have persisted due to the war in the Middle East, driving up energy prices.

Trump stated that once Iran is "pretty soon" defeated, he would declare the Hormuz Strait a U.S. territory. He emphasized that the U.S. has implemented the blockade and controls the flow of ships, allowing passage only when desired. Trump acknowledged using U.S. military forces to some extent but stressed that the United States will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.