Trump threatens to declare strait of Hormuz ‘territory of the United States’

On Friday, US President Donald Trump suggested he might declare the Strait of Hormuz "a territory of the United States" amidst ongoing tensions with Iran from the war and failed peace talks. Located in the Persian Gulf, this critical shipping route transports around 20% of the world's oil, making it an essential chokepoint. Iran has refused to open the strait, which has been effectively blocked since February when the US and Israel began their military campaign against Iran.

The US has been imposing an economic blockade on Iran via the strait, ramping up pressure on the regime. On Friday, Trump declared, "After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated, pretty soon I'll be declaring the Hormuz strait a territory of the United States." He claimed the US had "total control" over the waterway, a statement later disproved by Iran's deputy foreign minister, who emphasized that the strait could only be opened or closed under Iran's authority.

Despite the administration's repeated claims of victory in the war, Tehran maintains its stance, insisting the strait will only reopen if the US "corrects its behavior," compensates Iran for war damages, lifts sanctions, and releases frozen assets.